PI WHEELCHAIR TRAINING

Shira Golden

As with most athletes, wheelchair athletes need a great deal of neuromuscular and core training to help with stability, posture, coordination, reflexes, and the transfer of power during movement. The goal of neuromuscular and core training is to stimulate the nervous and muscular systems to create a stable foundation to move from. The core, the center of gravity of the body located around the navel, should be this foundation. Due to the nature of a wheelchair athlete's movement patterns, special attention must be made to strengthening the posterior musculature. These upper back muscles ensure muscle balance between the anterior and posterior sides of the body. Proper muscle balance will help to maintain efficient movement and allow for maximum power production. This will also help in the prevention of shoulder impingement and capsular problems that may arise due to this type of muscle imbalance.

Our principles have worked with various Paralympic athletes including:

 - Men's National Wheelchair Basketball Team

 - Women's National Wheelchair Basketball Team

 - Members of the Men's National Wheelchair Rugby Team

 - Members of the Men's National Ski Team

 - National Wheelchair Tennis Players

 - Canada Winter Games Wheelchair Basketball Team

 - National Track and Marathon Athletes

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