The investigation of the effects of wheelchair basketball on wheelchair skills

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of wheelchair basketball on wheelchair skills.The subjects of the study were sedentary or player individuals who had no walking functions and therefore had to use wheelchair for mobility in daily life.The subjects were categorized under sedentary (control, n=85) and player (n=and safety 111) groups. Functionality in daily life and also individual and environmental factors effecting this functionality were assessed after obtaining demographic information from individuals.Wheelchair Skill Test and Wheelchair Skill Test Questionnaires which are two objective methods were used once for all participants. Game scores were asked additionally to players.The capacity and performance scores and safety and success scores were significantly higher in players.Higher the numerical points led to higher levels of succes and safety scores. As a statistical result, Wheelchair Skill Test scores of players with 1,5 point were significantly lower than players with 2, 2,5, 3,5 points. There were no significant differences between numerical points of capacity and performance rates in Wheelchair Skill Test Questionnaires. This study has proved that the improved skills of wheelchair basketball have led the improvement of daily wheelchair skills. In control group the skills of the users who have not received any training on wheelchair using were analysed to see their skill level. Wheelchair Skill Test has provided a basic data for local governments and future studies on the skills of sedentary and player users of wheelchair in Turkey.