Exploring sex-based differences in strength and wheelchair activities to assess fair competition of female wheelchair rugby players

Wheelchair rugby (WR) is a mixed-sex sport, with a point-based classification system ranking players on arm-trunk impairment. Players are classified as low-point (LP, 0.5-1.5) or high-point (HP, 2.0-3.5). Teams are allowed four players on court with a total score ≤8.0; 0.5 point is added to this score per female on court. This study explored sex-based differences in strength and wheelchair activities in WR players. Twenty-four female and fifty-eight male international WR players completed six isometric strength tests and 3×10m sprints on-court. One-way ANOVAs compared performance differences between groups (LP, HP, Females, Males, No-trunk (NT), Trunk (TR)). Female-LP-players had significantly lower scores than Male-LP-players on elbow flexion (-47%), push (-46%) and pull (-37%) strength. Female-HP-NT-players had significantly lower scores than Male-HP-NT-players on elbow flexion (-64%), shoulder flexion (-56%), shoulder extension (-52%), push (-61%) and pull (-56%) strength. Female-HP-TR-players had significantly lower scores than Male-HP-TR-players on elbow flexion (-54%), shoulder flexion (-66%) and push (-66%) strength. No differences were found between sexes in 10m sprints, but sprint momentum showed clear differences. Female WR players had less strength compared to males, with more pronounced differences in HP-players. This strength disparity has direct implications on current international regulations, supporting compensation through competition rules.