Ping Gao; Ruizhe Zhao; Shaowei Wang & Tianyi Han

Few international studies have analyzed the characteristics of elite wheelchair curlers competing on the international stage. This study aims to investigate the physical fitness parameters of elite Chinese wheelchair curlers and explore the corresponding training enlightenment. Sixteen wheelchair curlers from the Chinese national team, including six male and two female Winter Paralympic gold medalists, were selected as research participants. The following parameters were measured: age, training age, height, weight, body fat percentage, grip strength, absolute bench press strength, and 5-km wheelchair push-timing test. Compared with ordinary curlers of the Chinese wheelchair curling team, elite curlers were older in age and training age; male curlers were shorter, whereas female curlers were taller. However, their weight and body fat percentage were lower, and their grip strength, absolute strength in the bench press, and 5-k wheelchair push-timing test were better. From an athlete development and physical training perspective, wheelchair curlers should increase training years in order to accumulate competition experience. Additionally, these athletes should manage their body weight and fat percentage, and improve their upper limb strength and aerobic capacity.

KEY WORDS: Wheelchair curling; Physical fitness; Anthropometric; Physical; Parameters.

GAO, P.; ZHAOA, R.; WANGA, S. & HANB, T. Physical fitness parameters of elite Chinese wheelchair curlers. Int. J. Morphol., 42(1):46-51, 2024.