Validação de um sistema de fixação magnética para bancos de arremesso e lançamentos paralímpicos

Abstract

Introduction: Since the Beijing Games (2008), which were broadcast on TV, Paralympic sports in Brazil have gained more importance, highlighting athletes in various modalities, including athletics. With the holding of the Rio de Janeiro Olympics and Paralympics in Brazil in 2016, there was a new impetus in various sectors of the economy. Athletes and researchers invested knowledge to improve performance in competitions and to develop innovations in Paralympic sports. Several improvements and adaptations are directly linked to the improved performance demonstrated in major Paralympic sport events. Performance in Paralympic athletics in throwing and launching events depends directly on the athlete's stability and positioning. Conventional seat fastening systems use robust platforms with straps and ratchets, which, although widely used, have significant operational limitations, including high weight, transportation difficulties, prolonged assembly and disassembly times, low standardization across equipment, and dependence on manual adjustments to ensure stability and safety. These restrictions affect both training and competition logistics, as well as the efficiency of athletic performance. In this context, the development of technological solutions that enhance safety, accessibility, and operational efficiency becomes necessary. Objective: To compare the performance of an innovative bench fastening system for throwing and launching, developed by Cintesp.Br/UFU, with the conventional system currently used by Paralympic athletes in the F30 and F50 classes. Materials and Methods: The study compared three distinct configurations: (1) the conventional system, composed of a standard platform, a throwing bench for the athlete's personal use, and traditional ratchet straps for stabilization; and (2) the magnetic system, featuring a simplified, barrier-free, and lightweight platform, designed with a magnetic fastening mechanism that can be used on any type of bench for the athlete's personal use; (3) the system with a magnetic fastening mechanism and a parameterized bench for collective use. The sample consisted of 17 Paralympic track and field athletes from Uberlândia-MG, all specialists in seated throwing events who use this equipment in both training and competition. Results: The comparative analysis of safety, stability, accessibility, and positioning revealed significant differences (p < 0.05) among the evaluated systems. The application of the proposed methodology and the prototype of the magnetic fastening system showed potential for use in training and competition, as well as for athletic performance, thereby validating the system's efficiency and contributing to the bench's parameterization for collective use.