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 Classification
of Paralympic Sports
General Classification Information
Classification Handbook and Forms
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Paralympics
New Zealand Classification Handbook & Procedures
Blindness
Grading Form
Registration
Form for Athletes with an Intellectual Disability
Application
Form for Classification ID Card
Classification
'Out of Competition' Protest Form
Classifier
Application Form
General
Classification Information
Why do we Classify
Athletes with a Disability?
The classification of athletes with disabilities in sport is an attempt
to ensure fair competition. The classification system enables athletes
to compete at the highest level, regardless of individual differences
in physical function. In order to achieve this, many years of hard
work has gone into developing classification systems that level the
playing field for athletes with disabilities in all Paralympic sports.
The Purpose of
the Classification Process
An efficient classification system must;
- Enable fair and equitable competition.
- Give each athlete with a disability an equal opportunity to compete
at international level.
- Only measure functional limitations caused by the physical disability.
- Be as simple as possible so that it can be used in a consistent
way in every participating country.
- Be sport specific.
The following should NOT under any circumstances affect an
athlete's class in any sport;
- Sporting skills or natural talent.
- Genetic superiority or inferiority.
- Body size or type, i.e. height, strength, length of arms etc.
- Gender.
- Training affect.
- The use of strapping that provides stability and allows enhanced
techniques.
Sport Specific
Classification Systems
All Paralympic sports have individual classification systems that have
identified key areas that affect performance in their particular sport.
Classification is very much based on specific function when related
to individual sporting technique.
For example, a major functional aspect in the sport of wheelchair
rugby is trunk function. An athlete with trunk function will
be significantly advantaged to an athlete with no trunk control. Therefore,
points awarded for the trunk are significantly higher than points
awarded for biceps function. Consequently, it is essential that an
athlete competing in two or more sports receive a classification for
each sport, as each classification will differ.
General Classification
Proceedure
The classification of most Paralympic sports consists of two tests. Each
test assesses the physical potential of the athlete. All information
gained from these tests is held by Paralympics New Zealand and also
by the New Zealand sport specific governing body. All information
is confidential.
The Bench Test
This consists of a physical examination to ascertain exactly in what
areas the athlete's disability affects the athlete's physical function.
This test should be conducted in a private room and will be recorded
on a test sheet for future use. This test varies depending on the
disability, the presentation of the disability and the sport being
classified for. Below are examples of various bench tests and
the manner in which they are assessed. Please note that these
systems are not exact and will be very dependent on the classification
system in place for the specific sport.
- A Muscle Test examines the strength of the affected muscles
and is used when testing spinal cord and related injuries.
This is usually performed using the following system.
0 Total lack of voluntary contraction.
1 Faint contraction without any movement of the
limb (a flicker).
2 Contraction with very weak movement with gravity
eliminated (poor).
3 Contraction with movement against gravity (fair).
4 Contraction with moderate resistance (good).
5 Contraction of normal strength though the full
range of movement against full resistance (normal).
- A Coordination Test examines the affect of the disability
on the athlete's coordination. This will be conducted at a variety
of speeds in order to ascertain the true functional ability at all
speeds. This test is usually conducted on those athletes with
types of Cerebral Palsy and neuromuscular disorders. The following
illustrates how the test is graded.
0 No functional movement at all.
1 Very severely restricted range of movement
due to muscle stiffness and/or very minimally coordinated movements.
2 Severely restricted range of movement with
severe spasticity/muscle stiffness present and/or severe coordination
problems.
3 Moderate range of movement, moderate spasticity
with tone restricting movement and/or moderate coordination problems.
4 Almost full range of movement, with slight
spasticity and slight increase in muscle tone and/or slight coordination
problems.
5 Normal.
- Range of Movement is tested by using the following scale.
Reduced range of movement can severely affect an athlete's performance,
however, range is only a factor when dealing with a disability and
not an unassociated injury.
0 No functional range of movement
1 Slight functional range of movement
2 25% functional range of movement
3 50% functional range of movement
4 75% functional range of movement
5 Normal function range of movement for the specific
sport.
The Demonstration of Technique Test
This consists of the athlete demonstrating techniques used in the
sport. As mentioned before different sports test in different
manners. For example;
- In swimming the athlete is required to perform a variety of skills
in the water, where the classifier will analysis the
athlete performance taking into consideration the results gained
from the bench test.
- In wheelchair rugby the athlete is required to demonstrate a number
of ball skills, such as throwing and dribbling and also the athlete's
maneuverability of their chair will also be tested.
Visual Review During
Competition
Integral to any classification testing procedure is the analysis of
the athlete during competition. Competition enables the classifier
to ascertain the true functional potential of the athlete, as this is
the definitive sporting environment. Many sports have a 'review'
policy that enables a classifier to monitor an athlete's classification
over time. It is not unusual for athletes to be observed over a
period of a year or more. However, this is no way has any disadvantages
to an individual and should not be perceived as a threatening situation. It
is the job of classifier to ensure fair play and it is only fair to
the athlete and those participating in that sport that the classifiers
take every opportunity to ensure a correct classification is made.
Higher rather than
Lower
Each classification system is not infallible and athletes sometimes
do not fit exactly in the systems in place. When a classifier is unsure
of the exact classification of a particular athlete the following procedure
is followed.
- Allocate a higher, rather than lower classification grading for
that athlete. This enables the athlete to compete in the sport. Over
the years it has proved to be less damaging to the athlete to start
at a higher classification (i.e. the more able grade) and if necessary
drop the athlete a grade rather than the reverse. It can be extremely
unsettling to an athlete to be raised a level in classification.
- The athlete will then be observed for a period of time in both competition
and training if necessary in order to allocate a true classification.
This process can continue throughout the career of an athlete.
Classification
Protest
Possible reasons for the protest of a classification are;
- Progressive condition directly affected by the disability.
- An increase in potential function by the athlete.
- Wrongly classified.
An athlete may have a difference of opinion with their classification. If
an athlete does not agree with a classification of an individual, be
it themselves or a competitor, the following procedures must be adhered
to.
- All tournaments held both nationally and internationally will have
a set protocol for the protest of a classification. This will
usually require the protest to be made through the team manager/coach
and there will be a protest fee involved. The protest fee is returned
if the classification is found to be incorrect. This is to reduce
the number of grudge or uninformed protests. The same procedure will
be used when protesting a classification out of competition.
- The protest must be made in writing and only then will it be considered
by the protest panel. The written request must contain an outline
of the reason for the protest based upon and citing where the athlete's
physical profile does not fit their allocated class.
- The protest panel will then endeavour to confirm the classification
status of the individual involved in the protest. The athletes will
be given the opportunity to present themselves for a classification
review. This could involve nothing more than a close look on
court to performing a new bench and 'demonstration of technique' test.
Following discussions the decision of the Classification Panel shall
be passed on to the protestor.
- If protest is reviewed and the classification is changed during
a tournament, the athlete concerned will continue to play under their
original classification. This is to avoid changing the line-ups
of team sports and to avoid any distress to the athlete during competition.
Any decision on a classification by the Classification panel is final
and will not be reconsidered within a year of the protest, unless certified
medical evidence exists showing that the competitor has a progressive
condition affecting their physical or sensory ability.
Minimal Disability
If an athlete cannot be placed in any of the available classes then
the athlete cannot be allowed to compete in either Paralympics New Zealand
regional and national competitions or IPC international competition.
Classifiers
Workshops consisting of theory and practical sessions are held for
classifiers. Participants for classifier courses must be suitably qualified
and recognised by both their national sporting body and Paralympics
New Zealand. It is important to note that classifiers are professional
people who volunteer their free time to classify athletes with disabilities.
Code of Conduct for
the Classification Process
Classifiers must;
Respect the Athlete and their Coach.
- Maintain a courteous attitude during the classification process.
- Involve the athlete and coach/team leader in discussions in matters
pertaining to their classification and explain the results.
- Handle protests in a fair, non-threatening and non-arbitrary manner.
Respect the Rules.
- Establish clearly defined procedures for the classification and
follow them.
- Make the procedures widely known to athletes and their coaches/team
leaders.
Respect each Individual Classifier.
- Treat each discussion as confidential information.
- Maintain confidentiality of the athlete's information wherever possible.
- Do not criticize other classifiers in public - the Chairperson or
Head Classifier shall act as spokesperson.
- Remember you are acting for the sport and the classification process
and not for your region or nation.
Athletes must;
- Arrive for classification in a timely manner.
- All athletes must present themselves for classification with all
their personal aids, adaptations, prosthesis, orthotics, swimming
togs, playing chairs etc that they intend to compete with. There
is no exception to this rule. The athlete may be accompanied
by their coach/team manager/parent if they wish.
- All athletes must give full effort and co-operation. Any athlete
not fully co-operating with the classification process will not be
given a classification and will therefore not be eligible to compete.
- It is the responsibility of all those involved in the classification
process to educate themselves regarding the proper procedure and assure
that the procedure is followed.
- All athletes must respect and adhere to the decision of the classification
team. Any queries / complaints must be referred to the Chairperson
or Head Classifier of the classification team.
Local Associations / Sport Specific Groups
- Classifiers must be given ample notice of tournaments/events requiring
their attendance.
- Sporting Organisations must respect the decision of all classifiers. Any
queries regarding specific classification must be referred to Paralympics
New Zealand.
The following is to be provided the duration of the tournament/event.
- A private room with a bench.
- A timetable of athletes needing classifying stating their details
and time of classification.
Recommendations
for Classification at Tournaments/Events
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