Citation

Altmann VC, Hart AL, van Limbeek J, Vanlandewijck YC. Adapt. Phys. Activ. Q. 2014; 31(4): 377-389.

Affiliation

Rehabilitation Center, Sint Maartenskliniek, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Human Kinetics Publishers)

DOI

10.1123/apaq.2013-0064

PMID

25211483

Abstract

A representative sample (N = 302) of the wheelchair rugby population responded to a survey about the classification system based on prioritized items by International Wheelchair Rugby Federation members. Respondents stated, "The classification system is accurate but needs adjustments" (56%), "Any athlete with tetraequivalent impairment should be allowed to compete" (72%), "Athletes with cerebral palsy and other coordination impairments should be classified with a system different than the current one" (75%), and "The maximal value for trunk should be increased from 1.0 to 1.5" (67%). A minority stated, "Wheelchair rugby should only be open to spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions" (36%) and "There should be a 4.0 class" (33%).

RESULTS strongly indicated that athletes and stakeholders want adjustments to the classification system in two areas: a focus on evaluation of athletes with impairments other than loss of muscle power caused by spinal cord injury and changes in classification of trunk impairment.

Language: en