Sprint performance of male track athletes at Paralympic Games between 1992 and 2016

Introduction
This study sought to analyze performance progression in track and field sprint events (100-400 m) at Paralympic Games (PG) held between 1992 and 2016 and to make comparisons with Olympic athletes.

Material and methods
Of 19 sport classes, five were selected in which the ratio of world records (WRs) set by Paralympic athletes to WRs set by Olympic athletes was the highest (T13 – visual impairments, T38 – coordination impairments, T46/47 – upper limb deficiencies, T42 and T44 – amputations and with lower limb deficiencies, T54 – wheelchair users). Percentage indices, PG/OG performance ratio as well as competition density were used to assess changes in performance. Linear regression was applied to predict performance at 2021 PG.

Results
In the period from 1992 to 2016, PG finalists improved their results by 5 to 22% in all the classes, while OG finalists improved their performance by 1 to 2%. PG/OG performance ratio depended on the class and sprint distance. The highest ratio was noted in the case of T44 (0.92 for 200 m) and T54 (0.93 for 400 m).

Conclusions
The prediction showed the highest values of the coefficient of determination (R2>70%) in T38 and T44 in 100 m and T38 in 200 m. The data obtained from the prediction may determine coaches’ activities in terms of assessing an athlete’s chances of qualifying for 2021 PG finals.