AN INTRODUCTION TO CLASSIFICATION - PowerPoint Presentation

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AN INTRODUCTION TOCLASSIFICATION

BY

Pam Carey

National USP Classifier

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FAIR & EQUAL COMPETITIONPara-athletes are placed in categories for competition based on their impairment – these are called sport classesThe IPC classification system determines which athletes are eligible to compete in a sport and how athletes are grouped together for competition

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CLASSIFICATION IS SPORT SPECIFICIn para-sport, athletes are grouped by the degree of activity limitation resulting from the impairment

Different sports require athletes to perform different activities, such as: sprinting, propelling a wheelchair, rowing, and shooting.

As sports require different activities, the impact of the impairment of each sport also differs

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3 STEPS TO CLASSIFICATION

Athletes are classified by classifiers who work together in a classification panel of 2 or 3

International classifiers are trained and certified by the International Federation

When evaluating an athlete, the classification panels always consider the following 3 questions:

Does the athlete have an eligible impairment for the sport?

Does the athlete’s eligible impairment meet the minimum disability criteria of the sport?

Which sport class describes the athlete’s activity limitation most accurately?

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10 ELIGIBLE IMPAIRMENT TYPESImpaired muscle powerImpaired passive range of movement

Limb deficiency

Leg length difference

Short stature

Hypertonia

Ataxia

Athetosis

Visual impairment

Intellectual impairment

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MINIMUM DISABILITY CRITERIAEach sport’s Paralympic classification rules describe how severe an eligible impairment must be for an athlete to be considered eligibleThese criteria are referred to as minimum disability criteria

MDC could be a maximum height for short stature, or a level of amputation for athletes with limb deficiency

As a consequence, an athlete may meet the criteria in one sport, but not in another

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SPORT CLASSIf an athlete is eligible for a sport, the classification panel will assess which sport class the athlete will compete in.

A sport class groups athletes with a similar activity limitation together for competition, so that they can compete equitably.

Sport classes are different by sport

If different impairments cause similar activity limitation, they may be allowed to compete together

Some sports only have one sport class

World Para Athletics has 52 sport classes

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SUMMER PARALYMPIC SPORTS

TOKYO 2020 PARALYMPIC GAMES

will feature 22 sports

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ARCHERY CLASSIFICATION

W1

: Wheelchair class because impairment includes loss of leg and trunk function; arms may show a loss of muscular strength, co-ordination or range of movement (tetraplegia)

Open

: Previously W2 and ST

May have strong activity limitations in trunk and legs and competes in wheelchair (paraplegia) or standing and may require some support because of poor balance

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ATHLETICS (TRACK & FIELD) CLASSIFICATION

Blind/VI

: T/F 11-13

Intellectual Impairment

: T/F 20

CP, Stroke, TBI (hypertonia, ataxia, athetosis)

:

Seated: T/F 32-34

Standing: T/F 35-38

Amputee/Les Autres

Short stature: F 40-41

Lower limb: T/F 42-44 (with prosthesis T/F 61-64)

Upper limb: T/F 45-47

Spinal Cord Injury

:

Track: T 51-52 (Quad), T 53-54 (Para)

Field: F 51-53 (Quad), F 54-57 (Para)

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BADMINTON CLASSIFICATION

Wheelchair: WH1-WH2

WH1

: impairment in both lower limbs & trunk & possibly impaired hand function (high SCI)

WH2

: impairment in one or both lower limbs & minimal or no impairment of trunk

Standing: SL3-SL6

SL3

: impairment in one or both lower limbs & poor walking/running balance

SL4

: lesser impairment than SL3, runs faster & has better balance

SL5

: impairment in upper limbs only

SL6

: short stature

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BOCCIA CLASSIFICATION

BC1

: severe activity limitation affecting legs, arms, & trunk due to co-ordination impairments; can grasp & throw; can propel ball with foot

BC2

: better trunk control & arm function; can throw the ball overhead & underhand with a variety of grasps

BC3

: significant limited function in arm & legs & poor or no trunk control due to cerebral or non-cerebral origins; uses a ramp & other assistive devices

BC4

: non-CP impairments (MD, SCI, Amputations affecting all 4 limbs); may use glove to sustain grip

BC5

: new class combining cerebral origin or non-cerebral origin; this is a US only class

Open

: player with a physical disability that does not meet Paralympic eligibility

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CANOE CLASSIFICATION

All have a physical impairment and are grouped in 3 sport classes:

KL1

: none or very limited trunk and no leg function

KL2

: partial trunk & leg function; able to sit upright in kayak

KL3

: has trunk & partial leg function; able to sit with trunk in forward flexed position; able to use at least one leg/prosthesis

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CYCLING CLASSIFICATION

Tricycle

:

T1

-more significant co-ordination problems or loss of muscle power

T2

-lesser co-ordination problems or loss of muscle power

Bicycle

:

C1

-most severe activity limitation

C2

-less severe activity limitation

C3

-double below knee amputee who uses prostheses

C4

-single below knee amputation who uses a prosthesis

C5

-meets minimum impairment criteria

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CYCLING CLASSIFICATION - continued

Handcycling

: (reclined position)

H1

-complete loss of trunk & leg function & limited arm function (SCI)

H2

-less impaired than H1

H3

-less impaired than H2

H4

-no leg function, but good trunk & arm function

H5

-sits on knees & can use arms & trunk (leg amputations, paraplegia, mild-moderate athetosis or ataxia)

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EQUESTRIAN CLASSIFICATION

Grade I

– severe impairments affecting all limbs & trunk (w/c user)

Grade Ib

– severe impairment of trunk & minimal impairment of upper limbs or moderate impairment of all limbs & trunk (usually w/c user)

Grade II

– severe impairments in both lower limbs & minimal or no impairment of trunk or moderate impairment of all limbs & trunk (sometime w/c user)

Grade III

– severe impairment or deficiency of both upper limbs or moderate impairment of all 4 limbs or short stature (able to walk); also includes those having a visual impairment equivalent to B1 with very low visual acuity and no light perception

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FOOTBALL 5-A-SIDE CLASSIFICATION

Visual Impairment except for goal keeper

Players with B1 sports class with very low visual acuity and/or no light perception.

All but goal keeper must wear eye shades

Each team has a sighted, able-bodied goal keeper, who does not have to undergo classification

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GOALBALL CLASSIFICATION

Visual Impairments only

B1

– very low visual acuity and/or no light perception

B2

– higher visual acuity than B1 and/or visual field of <5 degrees radius

B3

– least severe visual impairment with highest visual acuity and/or visual

field of <20 degrees radius

RULE – ALL PLAYERS MUST WEAR EYESHADES DURING THE GAME

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JUDO CLASSIFICATION

Visual Impairments only

B1

– very low visual acuity and/or no light perception

B2

– higher visual acuity than B1 and/or visual field of <5 degrees radius

B3

– least severe visual impairment; highest visual acuity and/or visual field

of <20 degrees radius

RULE – ALL COMPETE TOGETHER

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POWERLIFTING CLASSIFICATION

Open for athletes with any of the 8 physical impairments:

Impaired Muscle Power, Impaired Passive Range of Movement, Limb Deficiency, Ataxia, Athetosis, Hypertonia, Short Stature, Leg Length Difference

Examples of minimum disability: amputation through or above ankle, stiffness of the knee joint

CLASSIFICATION BASED ON ATHLETE’S WEIGHT

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ROWING CLASSIFICATION

AS

– minimal or no leg or trunk function (SCI)

TA

– good trunk & arm function (bilateral knee amputation)

LTA-PD

– able to use legs, trunk, & arms (MDC – missing 3 fingers on one hand or one foot amputation

LTA-VI

– visual impairment

B1-very low visual acuity and/or no light perception

B2-higher visual acuity, visual field of <5 degrees radius

B3-highest visual acuity, visual field of <20 degrees radius

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SHOOTING CLASSIFICATION

SH1 (Pistol)

– those with upper and/or lower limb impairments

SH1 (Rifle)

– those with lower limb impairments

SH2

– Rifle events only – those with upper limb impairments which necessitates them to use a shooting stand to support the rifle); may also have a lower limb impairment

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SITTING VOLLEYBALL CLASSIFICATION

D

– “Disabled” – above knee amputations; impairments affecting the lower and upper limbs, causing stiffness of joints or shortening of extremities

MD

– “Minimally Disabled” – less severe (example: amputation through the foot)

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SWIMMING CLASSIFICATION

Physical Impairment

S1 SB1 - significant loss of muscle power or control in legs, arms, & hands (uses w/c)

S2 SB1 - relies on arms for swimming; limited hand, trunk, & leg function

S3 SB2 - amputations of both arms & legs

S4 SB3 - unable to use trunk or legs; amputations of 3 limbs

S5 SB4 - short stature plus an additional impairment; hemiplegia or paraplegia

S6 SB5 - short stature; amputations of both arms; moderate co-ordination problems on one side

S7 SB6 - amputation of one leg and one arm on opposite sides; paralysis of one arm and one leg on the same side

S8 SB7 - amputation of one arm; hip, knee, and ankle joint restrictions

S9 SB8 - joint restrictions in one leg or double BK amputation

S10 SB9- minimal disability (loss of one hand or movement restriction in one hip joint)

Visual Impairment

S/SB11 – very low visual acuity and/or no light perception (must wear blackened goggles, and uses a tapper)

S/SB12 – higher v/a and/or visual field of <5 degrees radius (may use tapper)

S/SB13 – least severe visual impairment with highest v/a and v/f of <20 degrees radius

Intellectual Impairment

S/SB14 – difficulties with pattern recognition, sequencing, and memory

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TABLE TENNIS CLASSIFICATION

Sitting Classes

1

– no sitting balance & a significant affected playing arm

2

– no sitting balance & playing arm is moderately affected

3

– better sitting balance with full hand & arm function (SCI or CP)

4

– some sitting balance and fully functional arms and hands

5

– normal sitting balance, arm & hand function and good trunk (lower SCI)

Standing Classes

6

– impairment affecting both arms & legs and balance (ataxia, athetosis, hypertonia)

7

– significant impairments of both lets or the playing arm (double AE amputation)

8

– moderate impairment of legs or moderately affected playing arm (polio)

9

– mild impairments affecting legs or playing arm (stiff knee, restricted elbow); significant impairments in the non-playing arm

10

- mild impairments; short stature (stiff ankle or stiff wrist of playing arm)

Intellectual Impairment

11

- difficulties with pattern recognition, sequencing, and memory, or slower reaction time

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TAEKWONDO CLASSIFICATION

Athletes compete standing with full use of their legs

K41

– loss of upper limbs resulting in decreased kicking power

K42

– shortening or loss of one arm AE, or 2 shortened arms

K43

– loss or shortening of both arms BE

K44

– minimum loss of one hand through wrist or an equivalently shortened arm

RULES: NO HEAD KICKS AND NO POINTS AWARDED FOR PUNCHES

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TRIATHLON CLASSIFICATION

Wheelchair:

PT1

– swim, cycles using handcycle, races using racing wheelchair

Ambulant:

PT2

– severe activity limitations (single AK amputation, double BK amputation, significant combined upper & lower limb loss of strength, hemiplegia, severe CP)

PT3

– moderate activity limitations (through shoulder amputation, loss of ROM in one arm, moderate combined upper & lower limb loss of strength, moderate ataxia or athetosis)

PT4

– mild activity limitations (single BE amputation, single BK amputation, partial loss of arm strength, lower limb deficiency, mild ataxia or athetosis)

Visual Impairment:

PT5

– swim, ride tandem cycle, run with guide (meet criteria for B1 sport class); B1, B2, B3 compete together in one event

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WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL CLASSIFICATION

Allocated one of 8 sport classes from 1.0 to 4.5

Sport class 1.0 describes most significant activity limitation

All compete in wheelchair, but not all are wheelchair users in daily life

All have an impairment affecting their legs or feet

Most have normal arm and hand function

Main differences in class are trunk control and sitting balance

1.0

– no trunk control

1.5

2.0

– can lean forward & rotate body to some extent

2.5

3.0

– can fully rotate and lean forward, but not to the sides

3.5

4.0

– same as above, but can partially lean to sides as well

4.5

– no restrictions in trunk rotation or leaning forward or sideways (foot amputation or a 6 cm leg length difference)

RULE: EACH TEAM ONLY ALLOWED TO HAVE 14 POINTS ON COURT AT THE SAME TIME

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WHEELCHAIR FENCING CLASSIFICATION

All have impairment of legs or feet

All compete in wheelchair that are locked down

Athletes rely on moving upper body

Category A

– good trunk control; able to bend forward and sideways explosively; fully functional fencing arm; not all use wheelchair in daily life

Category B

– have impairments that impact legs, as well as trunk or fencing arm; supports trunk movement with non-fencing arm (tetraplegia)

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WHEELCHAIR RUGBY CLASSIFICATION

Originally designed for those with tetraplegia, but now includes players with other impairments that cause limited arm and leg function.

7 sport classes: 0.5 – 3.5 with 0.5 being the most significant activity limitation

0.5

– limited function in shoulder, arms & hands

1.0

1.5

– fair arm function, instability in wrist, some asymmetrical arm

function

2.0

2.5

– good shoulder stability and arm function; some trunk control; can

flex fingers

3.0

3.5

– good arm & hand function; some trunk function; high and upright

sitting position; double AK amputation and loss of fingers and hand

surface on both sides; can perform on-handed and long-distance passes

RULES: 4 PLAYERS PER TEAM & NO MORE THAN 8 POINTS ON COURT PER TEAM

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WHEELCHAIR TENNIS CLASSIFICATION

Paralympic Classification

Open

– significant and permanent impairment of one or both legs and normal arm function (paraplegia or leg amputations)

Quad

– impairment affecting their playing arm as well as their legs

National/Regional Player Descriptions

Open Division - excellent chair mobility with intensive training for competition at the national and international levels

A Player – solid chair mobility

B Player – good chair mobility

C Player – learning consistent chair mobility

D Player – slow, inconsistent chair mobility

 

Quad Division – weak and/or limited arm strength; can use taping or a gripping device to secure the racquet in their hand and forearm

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WINTER PARALYMPIC SPORTS

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ALPINE SKIING CLASSIFICATION

Standing Skiers (Leg Impairments): LW1-LW4

Standing Skiers (Arm Impairments): LW5-LW9

Sit Skiers (leg and balance impairments): LW10-LW12

VI Skiers (guide skis in front VI athlete): B1-B3

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NORDICSKIINGCLASSIFICATION

BIATHLON CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING

Standing Skiers

Leg Impairments

Arm Impairments

LW2

-one leg impaired

LW5/7

-both arms impaired

LW3

-both legs impaired

LW6

-one arm impaired (AE)

LW4

-impairment in lower part of one leg

LW8

-one arm moderate (BE)

LW9

-impairment in both arms & legs

Sit Skiers

LW10

-unable to sit without support

LW10.5

-limited trunk control

LW11

-leg impairment; fair trunk control

LW11.5

-near to normal trunk

LW12

-leg impairment but normal trunk control; eligible to stand or sit

Visually Impaired Skiers

B1

- blind; uses guide

B2-B3

-higher visual acuity; guide is optional

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ICE HOCKEY CLASSIFICATION

Also known as Sled Hockey

Must have impairment in lower part of body that would prevent them from competing in able body ice hockey

Possible Disabilities include:

Amputation, stiffness of knee or ankle joint, leg length difference of 7 cm

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SNOWBOARD CLASSIFICATION

SB-LL1

– significant impairment in one leg (AK) or significant combined impairment in both legs (muscle weakness or spasticity in both legs); will use prosthesis during the race

SB-LL2

– impairment in one or both legs with less activity limitation (example: BK amputation or mild spasticity)

SB-UL

– impairments of the upper limbs

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WHEELCHAIR CURLING CLASSIFICATION

Eligibility based on wheelchair mobility

Significant impairment in lower limbs

Usually requires wheelchair for daily mobility

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REFERENCESIPC Classification: https://www.paralympic.org/classification

US Paralympic website:

https://www.teamusa.org/us-paralympics

How to become a classifier:

https://www.teamusa.org/us-

paralympics

/sports/classification