Explanatory guide to Paralympic classification Paralympic summer sports September 2015 International Paralympic Committee Adenauerallee 212-214 Tel. +49 228 2097-200 www.paralympic.org 53113 Bonn, Germany Fax +49 228 2097-209
[email protected] 1 What is classification? Classification provides a structure for competition. Athletes competing in para-sports have an impairment that leads to a competitive disadvantage. Consequently, a system has to be put in place to minimise the impact of impairments on sport performance and to ensure the success of an athlete is determined by skill, fitness, power, endurance, tactical ability and mental focus. This system is called classification. Classification determines who is eligible to compete in a para-sport and it groups the eligible athletes in sport classes according to their activity limitation in a certain sport. Please see the glossary in section 8 for an explanation of medical terms used in this document. 2 Ten eligible impairments The Paralympic Movement offers sport opportunities for athletes with physical, visual and/or intellectual impairments that have at least one of the following 10 eligible impairments: Impairment Explanation Impaired muscle Reduced force generated by muscles or muscle groups, may occur in power one limb or the lower half of the body, as caused, for example, by spinal cord injuries, Spina Bifida or Poliomyelitis. Impaired passive Range of movement in one or more joints is reduced permanently. range of movement Joints that can move beyond the average range of motion, joint instability, and acute conditions, such as arthritis, are not considered eligible impairments. Limb deficiency Total or partial absence of bones or joints, from birth or as a consequence of trauma (e.g.