Wheelchair Rugby Classification: A Retrospective Cohort Study Analysis of the Triceps Manual Muscle Test – Comparing Assessed Manual Muscle Testing Scores to Standardized Values

Abstract

This retrospective cohort study evaluated the consistency of triceps manual muscle test (MMT) scores with standardized expectations across low and mid-point wheelchair rugby classifications (0.5–2.5), using data from 492 assessments of 283 Canadian athletes between 1992 and 2019. Athletes were stratified by sport class, and triceps MMT scores were analyzed to determine alignment with standardized ranges. While 0.5 and 2.0 classes showed general alignment, 1.0 and especially 1.5 classes exhibited significant inconsistencies; over 75% of 1.5-class assessments fell outside the expected range. These discrepancies raise concerns about the objectivity, reliability, and application of the modified triceps test within the classification process. The study highlights the influence of contextual factors and subjective judgment in current protocols and underscores the need for greater standardization, improved training, and empirical validation of assessment tools. Refining these elements is essential to ensure fairness, preserve competitive integrity, and uphold the athlete-centered principles of functional classification.