Cognitive assessment and physical performance in professional wheelchair basketball athletes
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5016/bjsphd.v2i2.20304Keywords:
Basketball; Paralympic athletes; Wheelchair; Cognition; Functional Physical PerformanceAbstract
Objective: To evaluate the cognitive, physical, and emotional skills of professional wheelchair basketball (WBC) athletes from the Brazilian men's national team compared to sedentary non-wheelchair users. Methodology: This is a cross-sectional study including 12 WBC athletes (G1) and 13 sedentary non-wheelchair users (G2) as a control group. Cognitive assessment was performed using NeuroSports Arena® software via virtual reality glasses, which measured reaction time (RT) and decision time (DT), reaction quality (RQ) and decision quality (DQ), attention (AT), impulsivity control (IC), and peripheral vision (PV), and is based on simple reaction and Go/No-go tasks. In addition, the software also assessed emotional factors and mood, such as mood, stress, and disposition at the moment, and sleep quality the previous night. In the physical assessment, the 20-meter acceleration test, the YoYo Intermittent Endurance 1, and the Running Anaerobic Sprint Test (RAST) were used. Results: No statistically significant differences were found between the groups. However, several intragroup correlations were observed. Conclusion: No statistically significant differences were found between the groups; however, within G1, correlations were observed between cognitive and physical performance, as well as between emotional factors and cognitive performance.
References
ADAMS, Jamie L. et al. Using a smartwatch and smartphone to assess early Parkinson’s disease in the WATCH-PD study. NPJ Parkinson’s disease, v. 9, n. 1, 1 dez. 2023.
BANGSBO, Jens; IAIA, F. Marcello; KRUSTRUP, Peter. The Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test: A useful tool for evaluation of physical performance in intermittent sports. Sports Medicine, v. 38, n. 1, p. 37–51, 2 out. 2008.
BARI, Andrea; KELLERMANN, Tanja S.; STUDER, Bettina. Impulsiveness and Inhibitory Mechanisms. Neuroimaging Personality, Social Cognition, and Character, p. 113–136, 1 jan. 2016.
CAMPBELL, Elizabeth; JONES, Graham. Cognitive Appraisal of Sources of Stress Experienced by Elite Male Wheelchair Basketball Players. Adapted physical activity quarterly: APAQ, v. 19, n. 1, p. 100–108, 2002.
CHEN, Xinming et al. Effects of Virtual Reality Rehabilitation Training on Cognitive Function and Activities of Daily Living of Patients With Poststroke Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, v. 103, n. 7, p. 1422–1435, 1 jul. 2022.
CHINNER, Amy et al. Digital technologies for the assessment of cognition: a clinical review. Evidence-based mental health, v. 21, n. 2, p. 67–71, 1 maio 2018.
CHUN, Marvin M.; GOLOMB, Julie D.; TURK-BROWNE, Nicholas B. A taxonomy of external and internal attention. Annual review of psychology, v. 62, p. 73–101, 10 jan. 2011.
DA SILVA, Carlos Mariano Aguiar Ferreira et al. Wheelchair skill tests in wheelchair Basketball: A systematic review. PLOS ONE, v. 17, n. 12, p. e0276946, 1 dez. 2022.
DA SILVA, Edilaine Aparecida et al. Effect of smartphone-based physical training combined with cognitive training on cognitive abilities in individuals with long COVID: A multicenter pilot randomized clinical trial. Journal of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapy, v. 35, n. 3, p. 100534, 1 ago. 2025.
DAHMEN, J. et al. An analysis of a digital variant of the Trail Making Test using machine learning techniques. Disponível em: <https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.3233/THC-161274>. Acesso em: 22 abr. 2026.
DANKINAS, Denisas; PARCIAUSKAITE, Vykinta; DAPSYS, Kastytis. Intra-individual reaction time variability and response preparation: an EEG study. Acta Neurobiologiae Experimentalis, v. 75, n. 4, p. 462–468, 31 dez. 2015.
DEBLOCK-BELLAMY, Anne et al. Virtual reality-based assessment of cognitive-locomotor interference in healthy young adults. Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitation, v. 18, n. 1, 1 dez. 2021.
DELLAZIZZO, Laura et al. Evidence on virtual reality-based therapies for psychiatric disorders: Meta-review of meta-analyses. Journal of Medical Internet Research, v. 22, n. 8, p. e20889, 1 ago. 2020.
DION-ALBERT, Laurence et al. Neurovascular adaptations modulating cognition, mood, and stress responses. Trends in Neurosciences, v. 46, n. 4, p. 276–292, 1 abr. 2023.
DOMINGUEZ, Ligia J. et al. Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Other Lifestyle Factors in the Prevention of Cognitive Decline and Dementia. Nutrients 2021, Vol. 13, Page 4080, v. 13, n. 11, p. 4080, 15 nov. 2021.
DRAPER, P. N.; WHYTE, G. Anaerobic performance testing. University of Canterbury. School of Sport & Physical EducationUniversity of Canterbury. School of Sport & Physical Education, 1997. Disponível em: <http://hdl.handle.net/10092/7835>. Acesso em: 4 fev. 2025
EVANS, James D. Straightforward statistics for the behavioral sciences. p. 600, 1996.
FALCK, Ryan S.; DAVIS, Jennifer C.; LIU-AMBROSE, Teresa. What is the association between sedentary behaviour and cognitive function? A systematic review. British Journal of Sports Medicine, v. 51, n. 10, p. 800–811, 1 maio 2016.
FANG, Kaiqin; JIANG, Han. Gender-Specific Effects of Short Sprint Interval Training on Aerobic and Anaerobic Capacities in Basketball Players: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Sports Science & Medicine, v. 23, n. 1, p. 8, 1 mar. 2024.
FOLSTEIN, Marshal F.; FOLSTEIN, Susan E.; MCHUGH, Paul R. “Mini-mental state”. A practical method for grading the cognitive state of patients for the clinician. Journal of psychiatric research, v. 12, n. 3, p. 189–198, 1975.
FREDRICKSON, J. et al. Evaluation of the usability of a brief computerized cognitive screening test in older people for epidemiological studies. Neuroepidemiology, v. 34, n. 2, p. 65–75, fev. 2010.
FREEMAN, D. et al. Virtual reality in the assessment, understanding, and treatment of mental health disorders. Psychological Medicine, v. 47, n. 14, p. 2393, 1 out. 2017.
GALPERIN, Irina et al. Treadmill training with virtual reality to enhance gait and cognitive function among people with multiple sclerosis: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Neurology 2022 270:3, v. 270, n. 3, p. 1388–1401, 11 nov. 2022.
GAYA, Adroaldo; GAYA, Anelise. Manual de testes e avaliação. 2016.
GIL, Susana María et al. The Functional Classification and Field Test Performance in Wheelchair Basketball Players. Journal of Human Kinetics, v. 46, n. 1, p. 219, 1 jun. 2015.
GLATTKE, Kaycee E.; TUMMALA, Sailesh V.; CHHABRA, Anikar. Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Recovery and Rehabilitation: A Systematic Review. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, v. 104, n. 8, p. 739–754, 20 abr. 2022.
GOROSTIAGA, Esteban M. et al. Differences in physical fitness among indoor and outdoor elite male soccer players. European Journal of Applied Physiology, v. 106, n. 4, p. 483–491, 26 mar. 2009.
GREIMEL, Ellen et al. Attentional performance in children and adolescents with tic disorder and co-occurring attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: new insights from a 2 × 2 factorial design study. Journal of abnormal child psychology, v. 39, n. 6, p. 819–828, ago. 2011.
HAFIZ, Pegah; BARDRAM, Jakob Eyvind. The Ubiquitous Cognitive Assessment Tool for Smartwatches: Design, Implementation, and Evaluation Study. JMIR mHealth and uHealth, v. 8, n. 6, 2020.
HENRY, Albert et al. The relationship between sleep duration, cognition and dementia: a Mendelian randomization study. International Journal of Epidemiology, v. 48, n. 3, p. 849–860, 1 jun. 2019.
HOGAN, Scott R. et al. The Athletic Intelligence Quotient and performance in the National Basketball Association. Frontiers in Psychology, v. 14, p. 1197190, 14 jul. 2023.
JIN, Roger; PILOZZI, Alexander; HUANG, Xudong. Current Cognition Tests, Potential Virtual Reality Applications, and Serious Games in Cognitive Assessment and Non-Pharmacological Therapy for Neurocognitive Disorders. Journal of clinical medicine, v. 9, n. 10, p. 1–19, 1 out. 2020.
KRUSTRUP, Peter et al. The Yo-Yo IR2 test: physiological response, reliability, and application to elite soccer. Medicine and science in sports and exercise, v. 38, n. 9, p. 1666–1673, set. 2006.
LAGE, Guilherme M. et al. Correlation between impulsivity dimensions and the control in a motor timing task. Brazilian Journal of Motor Behavior, v. 6, n. 3, p. 39–46, 27 nov. 2011.
LEZAK, Muriel Deutsch et al. Classes of Cognitive Functions. Neuropsychological Assessment, p. 25–37, 2012.
LOCKIE, Robert G. et al. The effects of different speed training protocols on sprint acceleration kinematics and muscle strength and power in field sport athletes. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, v. 26, n. 6, p. 1539–1550, jun. 2012.
LOPES MACEDO, Thuane et al. Analysis of the cognitive aspects of elderly people considering the practice of regular physical exercises and associated factors. Revista Brasileira de Geriatria e Gerontologia, v. 22, n. 2, p. e180120, 2019.
LÖVDÉN, Martin et al. Education and Cognitive Functioning Across the Life Span. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, v. 21, n. 1, p. 6–41, 1 ago. 2020.
MANCI, Egemen et al. The Effect of the Playing Positions in Basketball on Measures of Cognitive Performance. Journal of Cognitive Enhancement 2023 7:3, v. 7, n. 3, p. 230–241, 17 jun. 2023.
MARTIN, Jeffrey J. Multidimensional self-efficacy and affect in wheelchair basketball players. Adapted physical activity quarterly: APAQ, v. 25, n. 4, p. 275–288, 2008.
MILLMAN, L. S. Merritt et al. Towards a neurocognitive approach to dance movement therapy for mental health: A systematic review. Clinical psychology & psychotherapy, v. 28, n. 1, p. 24–38, 1 jan. 2021.
MITTAL, Palka et al. Effect of immersive virtual reality-based training on cognitive, social, and emotional skills in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Research in Developmental Disabilities, v. 151, p. 104771, 1 ago. 2024.
MOLINA-GALLEGO, Brígida et al. Neuropsychological Study in Patients with Spinal Cord Injuries. Healthcare 2021, Vol. 9, Page 241, v. 9, n. 3, p. 241, 24 fev. 2021.
NAJAFABADI, Mahboubeh Ghayour et al. Wheelchair basketball, health, competitive analysis, and performance advantage: a review of theory and evidence. Journal of Exercise Rehabilitation, v. 19, n. 4, p. 208, 2023.
PASTOR, Diego et al. Physical Exercise and Cognitive Function. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2022, Vol. 19, Page 9564, v. 19, n. 15, p. 9564, 3 ago. 2022.
PATTON, J. H.; STANFORD, M. S.; BARRATT, E. S. Factor structure of the Barratt impulsiveness scale - PubMed. Disponível em: <https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8778124/>. Acesso em: 22 abr. 2026.
PROESP-BR. Bateria de Testes: Velocidade de Deslocamento (corrida de 20 metros). Disponível em: <https://www.ufrgs.br/proesp/bat-teste-velocidade-de-deslocamento.php>. Acesso em: 4 fev. 2025.
RAVAGNANI, Christianne de Faria Coelho; BORGES, Dayanne Sarah Lima; DOS REIS, Caroline Rezende. Avaliação multiprofissional do atleta. Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso do Sul, 2022.
REN, Yuanyuan et al. Effects of immersive and non-immersive virtual reality-based rehabilitation training on cognition, motor function, and daily functioning in patients with mild cognitive impairment or dementia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical Rehabilitation, v. 38, n. 3, p. 305–321, 1 mar. 2024.
SALTHOUSE, Timothy A. Relations between cognitive abilities and measures of executive functioning. Neuropsychology, v. 19, n. 4, p. 532–545, jul. 2005.
SANFEY, Alan G. Decision neuroscience: New directions in studies of judgment and decision making. Current Directions in Psychological Science, v. 16, n. 3, p. 151–155, jun. 2007.
SCANLAN, Aaron et al. The influence of physical and cognitive factors on reactive agility performance in men basketball players. Journal of Sports Sciences, v. 32, n. 4, p. 367–374, 2014.
SENSORIALSPORTS. NeuroSports Arena: a única arena para o treinamento cerebral de atletasbile. Disponível em: <https://sensorialsports.com/neurosports-arena/>. Acesso em: 9 jan. 2024.
SILVA, Carlos Mariano Aguiar Ferreira da et al. Does Mental Fatigue Affect Physical Performance in Wheelchair Basketball Players? An Individualized Cognitive Load Approach. Perceptual and motor skills, v. 132, n. 5, p. 1108–1128, 1 out. 2025.
STILLMAN, Chelsea M. et al. Effects of Exercise on Brain and Cognition Across Age Groups and Health States. Trends in Neurosciences, v. 43, n. 7, p. 533–543, 1 jul. 2020.
TAM, Angela et al. Effects of reaction time variability and age on brain activity during Stroop task performance. Brain Imaging and Behavior 2014 9:3, v. 9, n. 3, p. 609–618, 4 out. 2014.
VAN ROYEN, Annelies et al. Go or no-go? An assessment of inhibitory control training using the GO/NO-GO task in adolescents. Appetite, v. 179, 1 dez. 2022.
WEBER, Vinícius M. R. et al. Adaptation of Anaerobic Field-Based Tests for Wheelchair Basketball Athletes. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, v. 92, n. 4, p. 715–722, 2 out. 2021.
WIEBE, Annika et al. Virtual reality in the diagnostic and therapy for mental disorders: A systematic review. Clinical psychology review, v. 98, 1 dez. 2022.
ZAGATTO, Alessandro M.; BECK, Wladimir R.; GOBATTO, Claudio A. Validity of the running anaerobic sprint test for assessing anaerobic power and predicting short-distance performances. Journal of strength and conditioning research, v. 23, n. 6, p. 1820–1827, set. 2009.
ZHANG, Qi et al. Impact of virtual reality-based therapies on cognition and mental health of stroke patients: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Medical Internet Research, v. 23, n. 11, p. e31007, 1 nov. 2021.
ZHAO, Junqiang et al. Virtual reality technology enhances the cognitive and social communication of children with autism spectrum disorder. Frontiers in Public Health, v. 10, p. 1029392, 6 out. 2022.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF SPORT PSYCHOLOGY & HUMAN DEVELOPMENT (BJSPHD)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
