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CHAPTER 35
wheelchair sport. While the pattern of the target is that of a dart board, the target is
enlarged to a diameter of 2-6 ft in size to fit on an archery boss. The minimum shooting
distance is 15 yards (Fig. 251).
Using a 4 channel electromyograph I studied with my colleague Dr Mehra, the
alternating muscle groups mainly involved in archery and dartchery on 9 male para
plegic subjects with complete lesions at levels ranging from C6 to Ti2 (Guttmann &
Mehra, 1972). Four actions were studied in the course of archery exercise:
1. First draw (I.D.): consisting of loading the arrow on to the bow and pulling the
bow string i or 2 in to establish the right position for shooting.
2. Horizontal draw (FDH): The holding arm (in right handers the left) is raised to
the horizontal and the bow string is pulled with the opposite right arm to full
extension.
3. Vertical draw (FDV): The left arm holding the bow is raised over the horizontal
and the bow string is drawn to full extension with the right arm.
4. Releasing the arrow.
The muscles examined electromyographically were: Trapezius (Trap.), Rhomboids
(Rhom.), Latissimus dorsi (Lat. Dors.), Pectoralis major (Pect.), Serratus Anterior (Serr.
Ant.), Biceps (Bic.), and Triceps (Trie.). Fig. 2523 demonstrates the results obtained in
a case of Ti2 lesion as compared with the result in a case of Cy lesion with acting triceps
(Fig. 252b).
The lowest electrical discharge occurred during loading and first draw, while the
maximal discharge was found during horizontal and in particular vertical draw. In all
cervical and also high thoracic (T3) lesions trapezius and rhomboids showed particularly
marked electrical activity indicating the importance of these muscle groups in bracing
the shoulders in these high lesions. In contrast the electrical discharge in latissimus
dorsi and serratus anterior was practically absent. That the biceps on the drawing right
arm and the left triceps on holding the bow in extension show high electrical discharge
is obvious. Of interest is that on sudden release of the arrow there was an immediate
intensive electrical discharge.
The most dramatic results of training are seen in wheelchair basketball players. The
degree of neuro-muscular co-ordination and endurance they can achieve is almost
unbelievable. They have mastered the techniques of passing, catching, and intercepting
the ball, while racing down the court; a crash into an opponent's chair is an automatic
foul. It is no exaggeration to say that the paraplegic and his chair have become one, in
the same way as have a first-class horseman and his mount. Fig. 253 shows a scene during
a basketball match. Incidentally, this is a sport where the paralysed has an advantage
over the able-bodied (as the writer and his medical and physiotherapy staff found out for
themselves), as the able-bodied, due to his different pattern of co-ordination, has the
tendency to move his legs while trying to catch the ball from his opponent, causing him
to lose his balance and fall out of his wheelchair.
It may be noted that sporting activities have not been confined to the paraplegics
but have been extended also to tetraplegics. There is no reason why a tetraplegic with a
lesion below C6/y with a good extensor carpi radialis and weak triceps but paralysis of
