Improvement of the Classification System for Wheelchair Rugby: Athlete Priorities

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.

Seated limits‐of‐stability of athletes with disabilities with regard to competitive levels and sport classification

“…With regard to wheelchair rugby, the trunk function assessment has been the focus of extensive research. 5,6 Specifically, the 2011-revised classification system's trunk scores assignment for athletes with limited-to-no trunk impairment was considered inconsistent. 5 In addition, in a survey of athletes and stakeholders in wheelchair rugby to identify priority areas in the classification system, approximately 50% of the responders recognized the impact of trunk function on performance as an important issue.…”

“…5 In addition, in a survey of athletes and stakeholders in wheelchair rugby to identify priority areas in the classification system, approximately 50% of the responders recognized the impact of trunk function on performance as an important issue. 6 To date, trunk function assessment in wheelchair rugby has been based on the expert opinion of classifiers; 2 aside from the effort to add biomechanical measures, such as trunk strength and range of motion, to classification, 7,8 no measure has been investigated in this context. Moreover, it is not clear whether and how competitive level affects trunk function measures in wheelchair athletes.…”

The impact of trunk impairment on performance of wheelchair activities with a focus on wheelchair court sports: a systematic review

“…By observing athletes with and without trunk impairment, classifiers, athletes and stakeholders in wheelchair rugby perceived a significant impact of trunk impairment on performance in wheelchair activities. Trunk impairment did not seem adequately considered in the classification system [6]. …”

The impact of trunk impairment on performance‐determining activities in wheelchair rugby

“…An alternative is based on the ranking of individual athletes by athletes or coaches (Yilla & Sherill, ; Gabbett et al., ; De Groot et al., ), or on the ranking of the team for which the athlete is playing (Baker & Newton, ; de Groot et al., ; Rhodes et al., ). Using these methods for validating tests that measure performance in Paralympic sports is complicated, because the number of athletes in Paralympic sports is small and the numbers of athletes per sport class based on impairment type(s) are even smaller (Yilla & Sherill, ; Altmann et al., ; Cavedon et al., ). This results in a small number of athletes per sports class, which limits statistics to validate sport‐specific tests based on ranking in Paralympic sports.…”