201. Improvement of the classification system for wheelchair rugby: athlete priorities.
- Author
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Altmann VC, Hart AL, van Limbeek J, and Vanlandewijck YC
- Subjects
- Cross-Sectional Studies, Humans, Surveys and Questionnaires, Athletes classification, Football classification, Nervous System Diseases physiopathology, Wheelchairs
- 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.
- Published
- 2014
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