PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the thermoregulatory and wheelchair (WC) kinematic responses of wheelchair rugby (WCR) players during international competition. This study provided an opportunity to evaluate the relationship between gastrointestinal temperature (Tgi), movement time (MT), and wheelchair (WC) movement kinematics. METHODS: Ten male national team WCR players (International Wheelchair Rugby Federation Classification; 1-1.5, n=3; 2-2.5, n=4; 3-3.5, n=3) volunteered for the study. Testing occurred during a five-game series against international competition (temp 24.7±0.7°C, relative humidity 50%). Hydration habits were monitored throughout along with MT, Tgi, and WC kinematics were recorded continuously. RESULTS: Mean MT was 28.3±8.5 (8.3-43.7) min per game. Athletes consumed 841±674 mL of water. Athletes spent the majority of MT time in Zone 1 (0-1m/s) (16.4±8.3 min:s), relative to Zone 2 (1-2 m/s) (8.3±3.1 min:s) and Zone 3 (>2m/s) (3.5±1.7 min:s) (p<0.05). There was no difference in mean time spent in intensity zones between Class 1.0-1.5, Class 2-2.5, and Class 3.0-3.5 athletes (p>0.05). Athletes covered an average of 1656±455 meters(m) per game and spent 24.1 ± 22.0% (510±262m) moving in Zone 1, 44.0±11.8% (734±273m) in Zone 2, and 29.2±10.9% (497.9±241.3m) moving in Zone 3. Mean Tgi significantly differed between quarter 1, quarter 2, quarter 3, and quarter 4 (p<0.05);however, there was no significant difference in Tgi rise among quarters (p>0.05). Two of the ten (Class 1 and 3.5) athletes reached a Tgi of >39°C and sustained it for 14:02±1:06 min:s (13:15-14:48) with a mean movement time of 30:10±4:08 (27:15-33:05). There was a strong relationship between change in Tgi and MT per quarter (p=0.01, r=0.39), and MT and peak speed reached in the game (p=0.047, r=0.97). Mean HR was 106±21 bpm throughout the game. CONCLUSION: Results of this study suggest that WCR (1) athletes spent the majority of time in low intensity zones, (2) the change in Tgi is related to movement time per quarter, and (3) peak speeds were significantly correlated to total movement time. As such, movement time per quarter should be monitored and athletes may benefit from warming-up on the sidelines before entering the WCR match. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]