WHAT IS CLASSIFICATION? 

The purpose of the IPC Classification system is to provide a structure for competition for people with health conditions that cause impairments, which impact sport performance, to ensure fair competition.  Specifically, it is designed to promote participation in sport by individuals with impairment by providing a competitive structure which minimises the impact of eligible impairment types on the outcome of competition. 

To ensure competition is fair and equal, all Paralympic sports have a system in place which ensures that winning is determined by skill, fitness, power, endurance, tactical ability and mental focus, the same factors that account for success in sport for able-bodied athletes. This process is called ‘classification’ and its purpose is to minimise the impact of impairments on the activity (‘sport discipline’). Having the impairment thus is not sufficient; the impact on the sport must be proved, and each in Paralympic sport, the criteria of grouping athletes by the degree of activity limitation resulting from the impairment are named ‘sport classes’. 

Through classification, it is determined which athletes are eligible to compete in a sport and how athletes are grouped together for competition. This, to a certain extent, is similar to grouping athletes by age, gender or weight. 

Classification is sport-specific because an impairment affects the ability to perform in different sports to a different extent. As a consequence, an athlete may meet the criteria in one sport, but may not meet the criteria in another sport. 

Classification in para sport has been evolving since first introduced in the 1940’s.  Early classification was based on medical diagnoses but functional systems soon became necessary.  Functional systems of classification are sport-specific as any given impairment may have a significant impact in one sport and relatively minor impact in another.    

As new classification systems emerged, the need for a universal classification strategy led to the publication of the IPC Classification code in 2007 and subsequent revisions in 2015.  The IPC Classification Code mandates the development of evidence-based systems of classification and details policies and procedures that should be common to all sports within the Paralympic Movement. 

Read more on: https://www.paralympic.org/classification 

Relevant documents: 

IPC classification code and International Standards  

CLASSIFICATION IN PARA ATHLETICS

The World Para Athletics classification system serves two key purposes:

1. Determining eligibility

The system defines who is eligible to compete in World Para Athletics competitions.

2. Sport Class Allocation

The system describes methods for dividing eligible athletes up into sport classes. The aim is that each class should consist of athletes who have impairments that cause approximately the same amount of activity limitation in the key athletic disciplines – running, wheelchair racing, jumps and throws.

DETERMINING ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible for Para athletics, a person must have an eligible impairment type and the impairment must be judged to be severe enough to have an impact on the sport of athletics.

Minimum Disability Criteria (MDC) are described in the World Para Athletics Classification Rules and Regulations.

There are 10 eligible impairment types: eight physical impairments as well as vision impairment and intellectual impairment.

IMPAIRMENT TYPE	DESCRIPTION
Impaired Muscle Power	Athletes with Impaired Muscle Power have a Health Condition that either reduces or eliminates their ability to voluntarily contract their muscles in order to move or to generate force.   Examples of an Underlying Health Condition that may lead to Impaired Muscle Power include spinal cord injury (complete or incomplete, tetra-or paraplegia or paraparesis), muscular dystrophy, post-polio syndrome and spina bifida.
Impaired Passive Range of Movement	Athletes with Impaired Passive Range of Movement have a restriction or a lack of passive movement in one or more joints.   Examples of an Underlying Health Condition that may lead to Impaired Passive Range of Movement include arthrogryposis and contracture resulting from chronic joint immobilisation or trauma affecting a joint.
Limb Deficiency	Athletes with Limb Deficiency have total or partial absence of bones or joints as a consequence of trauma (for example traumatic amputation), illness (for example amputation due to bone cancer) or congenital limb deficiency (for example dysmelia).
Leg Length Difference	Athletes with Leg Length Difference have a difference in the length of their legs as a result of a disturbance of limb growth, or as a result of trauma.
Short Stature	Athletes with Short Stature have a reduced length in the bones of the upper limbs, lower limbs and/or trunk.   Examples of an Underlying Health Condition that may lead to Short Stature include achondroplasia, growth hormone dysfunction, and osteogenesis imperfecta.
Hypertonia	Athletes with Hypertonia have an increase in muscle tension and a reduced ability of a muscle to stretch caused by damage to the central nervous system.   Examples of an Underlying Health Condition that may lead to Hypertonia include cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury and stroke.
Ataxia	Athletes with Ataxia have uncoordinated movements caused by damage to the central nervous system.   Examples of an Underlying Health Condition that may lead to Ataxia include cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, stroke and multiple sclerosis.
Athetosis	Athletes with Athetosis have continual slow involuntary movements.   Examples of an Underlying Health Condition that may lead to Athetosis include cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury and stroke.
Vision Impairment	Athletes with Vision Impairment have reduced, or no vision caused by damage to the eye structure, optical nerves or optical pathways, or visual cortex of the brain.   Examples of an Underlying Health Condition that may lead to Vision Impairment include retinitis pigmentosa and diabetic retinopathy.
Intellectual Impairment	Athletes with an Intellectual Impairment have a restriction in intellectual functioning and adaptive behaviour in which affects conceptual, social and practical adaptive skills required for everyday life. This Impairment must be present before the age of 18.

 

 

 

SPORT CLASS ALLOCATION

The aim of classification in Para athletics is to minimise the impact of eligible impairments on the outcome of competition. To do this, athletes are assessed and then placed into competition categories, called sport classes, according to how much their impairment affects sports performance.

In general, athletes with impairments that have a similar impact on sport performance will compete in the same sport class. The system ensures that athletes do not succeed simply because they have an impairment that causes less of a disadvantage than their competitors, but because of their skill, determination, tactics, fitness and preparation.

The numerical figure in Para athletics classification represents the level of impairment; the lower the number within each impairment type, the more severe the impairment.

 

TRACK AND JUMP (PREFIX T FOR TRACK)

DISCIPLINE: Running and jumping (20 classes)

SPORT CLASSES (Impairment types):

• T11-13 (Vision impairment)
   
• T20 (Intellectual impairment)
   
• T35-38 (Co-ordination impairments (hypertonia, ataxia and athetosis))
   
• T40-41 (Short stature)
   
• T42-44 (Lower limb competing without prosthesis affected by limb deficiency, leg length difference, impaired muscle power or impaired passive range of movement)
   
• T45-47 (Upper limb/s affected by limb deficiency, impaired muscle power or impaired passive range of movement)
   
• T61-64 (Lower limb/s competing with prosthesis affected by limb deficiency and leg length difference)

DISCIPLINE: Wheelchair racing (7 classes)

SPORT CLASSES (Impairment types):

• T32-34 (Co-ordination impairments (hypertonia, ataxia and athetosis))
   
• T51-54 (Limb deficiency, leg length difference, impaired muscle power or impaired passive range of movement) 

DISCIPLINE: RaceRunning (3 classes)

SPORT CLASSES (Impairment types)

• RR1, RR2, RR3 (athletes with severe co-ordination impairment (hypertonia, ataxia, athetosis) competing in RaceRunning events in Sport Classes RR1, RR2, RR3 (more information here). 

• THROWS (PREFIX F FOR FIELD)

DISCIPLINE: Standing throws (19 classes)

SPORT CLASSES (Impairment types):

• F11-13 (Vision impairment)
   
• F20 (Intellectual impairment)
   
• F35-38 (Co-ordination impairments (hypertonia, ataxia and athetosis))
   
• F40-41 (Short stature)
   
• F42-44 (Lower limb competing without prosthesis affected by limb deficiency, leg length difference, impaired muscle power or impaired passive range of movement)
   
• F45-46 (Upper limb/s affected by limb deficiency, impaired muscle power or impaired passive range of movement)
   
• F61-64 (Lower limb/s competing with prosthesis affected by limb deficiency and leg length difference)

DISCIPLINE: Seated throws (11 classes)

SPORT CLASSES (Impairment types):

• F31-34 (Co-ordination impairments (hypertonia, ataxia and athetosis))
   
• F51-57 (Limb deficiency, leg length difference, impaired muscle power or impaired range of movement)

 

SPORT CLASSES IN DETAIL

T11-13 and F11-13 - Athletes in these classes have a vision impairment which is severe enough to impact on sport. They compete in one of three sport classes in track and jumps (T11-13) and throws (F11-13):

T11/F11
These athletes have a very low visual acuity and/or no light perception.

T12/F12 
Athletes with a T12/F12 sport class have a higher visual acuity than athletes competing in the T11/F11 sport class and/or a visual field of less than 10 degrees diameter.

T13/F13
Athletes with a T13/F13 sport class have the least severe vision impairment eligible for Para athletics. They have the highest visual acuity and/or a visual field of less than 40 degrees diameter.

 

T20/F20 - Athletes in this class have an intellectual impairment that impacts on the activities of running (400m - marathon), jumping (long jump and triple jump) or throwing events (shot put).

 

There is one sport class for running and jumping events (T20) and one for field events (F20) and athletes must meet the sport-specific MDC for each of their respective events (running, jumping or throwing).

 

T32-4, T35-38, F31-34 and F35-38 - Athletes in these classes are affected by hypertonia, ataxia and athetosis all of which typically affect co-ordination of movement. They compete in the following classes:

 

WHEELCHAIR TRACK: T32-34 - Classes for wheelchair racing

T32 - Athletes have moderate to severe co-ordination impairment affecting all four limbs and trunk, but usually with slightly more function on one side of the body or in the legs. Function is affected so that throwing and wheelchair propulsion is difficult. Trunk control is poor.

T33 - Athletes have moderate to severe co-ordination impairment of three to four limbs, but typically have almost full functional control in the least impaired arm. Forward propulsion of the wheelchair is impacted by significant asymmetry in arm action and/or very poor grasp and release in one hand and limited trunk movement.

T34 - Athletes are generally affected in all four limbs but more in the lower limbs than the upper limbs. The arms and trunk demonstrate fair to good functional strength and near to able-bodied grasp, release and relatively symmetrical wheelchair propulsion.

RUNNING TRACK AND JUMPS: T35-38 - Athletes in the sport classes T35-38 have sufficient function to run:

T35 - Athletes are typically affected in all four limbs but more so in the legs than the arms. Running gait is moderately to severely impacted, with stride length typically shortened.

T36 - These athletes demonstrate moderate athetosis, ataxia and sometimes hypertonia or a mixture of these which affects all four limbs. The arms are usually similarly or more affected than the legs. Involuntary movements are clearly evident throughout the trunk and/or in the limbs in all sport activities, either when the athlete is attempting to stand still (athetosis) or when attempting a specific movement (tremor).

T37 - Athletes have moderate hypertonia, ataxia or athetosis in one half of the body. The other side of the body may be minimally affected but always demonstrates good functional ability in running. Arm action is asymmetrical. Some trunk asymmetry is usually evident.

T38 - Athletes have clear evidence of hypertonia, ataxia and/or athetosis on physical assessment that will affect running. Co-ordination impairment is mild to moderate and can be in one to four limbs. Co-ordination and balance are typically mildly affected, and overall these athletes are able to run and jump freely.

SEATED THROWS: F31-34:

F31 - Athletes have severe hypertonia or athetosis, with very poor functional range, and/or control of movement in all four limbs and the trunk. Hand function is very poor with a limited static grip, severely reduced throwing motion and poor follow through and release.

F32 - Athletes have moderate to severe hypertonia, ataxia and/or athetosis affecting all four limbs and trunk, usually with slightly more function on one side of the body or in the legs. A cylindrical and/or spherical grasp is possible, but grasp and release in combination with throws are poorly co-ordinated. Dynamic trunk control is poor.

F33 - Athletes have moderate to severe hypertonia, ataxia or athetosis affecting three to four limbs, typically have almost full functional control in the least impaired arm. Athletes are able to throw an implement forcefully, albeit with limited follow-through. While athletes are able to grasp the implement, release of the implement is affected by poor finger dexterity. Trunk movements are limited by extensor tone, so that throwing motions are mainly from the arm.

F34 - Athletes generally have moderate to severe hypertonia in both legs with significant difficulty in standing balance and walking. The arms and trunk demonstrate fair to good functional strength and near to full grasp, release and follow through for throws. Poor fine co-ordination in the hands is common. Hypertonia in the trunk and in the legs may result in mild limitations in throws.

STANDING THROWS: F35-38 - Athletes in the sport classes F35-38 have sufficient function in throwing ability from a standing position without support or aids:

F35 - Athletes are typically more affected in the legs than the arms, but may also have significant co-ordination impairment of the non-throwing arm. Moderate hypertonia in the legs significantly limits the ability to walk and run. The athlete has fair to good functional strength and near to able-bodied grasp, release and follow through in the throwing arm.

F36 - Athletes demonstrate moderate athetosis, ataxia and sometimes hypertonia or a mixture of these, which affects all four limbs. The arms are usually similarly or more affected than the legs. Involuntary movements are clearly evident throughout the trunk and/or in the limbs in sport activities, either when the athlete is attempting to stand still (athetosis) or when attempting a specific movement (tremor).

F37 - Athletes have moderate hypertonia, ataxia or athetosis in one half of the body. The other side of the body may be minimally affected and demonstrates good functional ability in throws. Transfer of weight onto the affected leg is poor. The affected arm may demonstrate no to some functional ability. Some trunk asymmetry is usually evident.

F38 - Athletes have clear evidence of hypertonia, ataxia and/or athetosis on physical assessment that meets the MDC. Impairment is mild to moderate and can be in one to four limbs. Co-ordination and balance in throws may be mildly affected, but overall these athletes are able to run and throw freely using able-bodied techniques.

 

T40-41 and F40-41

Athletes with short stature compete in sport class T40/F40 and T41/F41.

 

There are two classes depending on the body height of the athlete and the proportionality of the upper limbs.

Athletes in classes T40 or F40 have a shorter stature than T41 and F41.

 

T42-47, F42-46, T51-54, F51-57, T61-64 and F61-64

Athletes in these classes are affected by one or more of the musculoskeletal impairments of limb deficiency, leg length difference, impaired muscle power or impaired passive range of movement.

 

TRACK RUNNING, JUMPS AND STANDING THROWS: T42/F42 – T44/F44 and T/F 61-64

Athletes have impairments of the lower limbs. All athletes in these classes compete in standing without support.

The criteria for running, jumps and throws are the same.

T42/F42 – Athletes have one or more impairment types affecting hip and/or knee function in one or both limbs and with activity limitations in throws, jumps and running competing without prosthesis/prostheses comparable to that of an athlete with at least a single through or above knee amputation. Athletes with impairment(s) roughly comparable to bilateral above knee amputations are also placed in this class.

T43/F43 - Athletes have bilateral lower limb impairments competing without prostheses where both limbs meet the minimum impairment criteria, and where functional loss is in the feet, ankles and/or lower legs. The activity limitation in Para Athletics is roughly comparable to that found in an athlete with bilateral below-knee amputations.

T44/F44 – This class is for any athlete competing without a prothesis with a unilateral or a combination of lower limb impairment/s where the impairment in only one limb meets the minimum impairment criteria. Functional loss is seen in one foot, ankle and/or lower leg. The activity limitation in Para Athletics is roughly comparable to that found in an athlete with one through ankle / below knee amputation.

T61/F61 - T64/F64 - The primary impairments are in the lower limbs and include only limb deficiency and leg length discrepancy. All athletes in these classes compete standing without support and they mush use prosthesis/es.

T61/F61 - Athletes with bilateral through knee or above knee limb deficiency competing with prostheses where minimum impairment criteria for lower limb deficiency are met (see World Para Athletics Classification Rules and Regulations).

T62/F62 - Athletes with bilateral below knee limb deficiency competing with prostheses where minimum impairment criteria for lower limb deficiency are met (see World Para Athletics Classification Rules and Regulations).

T63/F63 - Athletes with single through knee or above knee limb deficiency competing with a prosthesis where minimum impairment criteria for lower limb deficiency are met (see World Para Athletics Classification Rules and Regulations).

T64/F64 - Athletes with unilateral below knee limb deficiency competing with a prosthesis where the minimum impairment criteria for lower limb deficiency and leg length discrepancy are met (see World Para Athletics Rules and Regulations).

T45/F45, T46/F46, T47

The primary impairments are in the upper limbs. All athletes in these classes compete standing without support. The criteria for running and jumps are slightly different to the criteria for throws.

RUNNING AND JUMPS: T45 – T47

T45 – Athletes have impairments of both arms affecting the shoulder and/or elbow joints which are comparable to the activity limitations in running and jumping as experienced by an athlete with bilateral above elbow amputations.

T46 – Athletes have a unilateral upper limb impairment that affects the shoulder and/or elbow joint of one arm and which is comparable to the activity limitations in running and jumps roughly comparable to that found in an athlete with a unilateral above elbow amputation. Athletes who have impairments of both arms, affecting elbow and wrist and roughly comparable to the activity limitations experienced by an athlete with bilateral through wrist / below elbow amputations of both arms, or an athlete with one above elbow amputation and one below elbow amputation, will also be placed in this class.

T47 - Athletes with a unilateral upper limb impairment resulting in some loss of function at the shoulder, elbow and wrist and which impacts sprints primarily. The impact of the impairment is comparable to the activity limitations experienced by an athlete with a unilateral through wrist/ below elbow amputation.

STANDING THROWS: F45 – F46

F45 – Athletes have impairments of both arms which must meet the MDC for limb deficiency, impaired passive range of movement or impaired muscle power to the extent that both arms demonstrate significant activity limitation for gripping and/ or throwing the field implements.

F46 – Athletes with a unilateral upper limb impairment roughly comparable to the activity limitations experienced by an athlete with a unilateral amputation of one arm through or above the wrist and one intact arm. Athletes with bilateral upper limb impairments where one arm meets the unilateral criteria, and the other affected arm does not does not meet the bilateral criteria above, also compete in this class.

 

T51-T54 and F51-57

Athletes in these athletics categories use racing wheelchairs and throwing frames in competition.

 

WHEELCHAIR TRACK: T51-54

T51 - Athletes usually have decreased shoulder muscle power and difficulty straightening the elbows for a pushing action required for wheelchair racing propulsion. There is no muscle power in the trunk. Wheelchair propulsion is achieved with a pulling action using the elbow flexor and wrist extensor muscles.

T52 – Athletes use their shoulder, elbow and wrist muscles for wheelchair propulsion. There is poor to full muscle power in the fingers with wasting of the intrinsic muscles of the hands. Muscle power in the trunk is typically absent.

T53 - Athletes typically have full function of the arms but no abdominal or lower spinal muscle activity (grade 0).

T54 – Athletes have full upper muscle power in the arms and some to full muscle power in the trunk. Athletes may have some function in the legs.

SEATED THROWS: F51-57

F51 - Athletes use the slightly decreased to full muscle power at the shoulders, elbow flexors, and wrist extensors for throwing an implement. The triceps muscles are non-functional and may be absent. Muscle power in the trunk is absent. Grip of the implements is difficult due to non-functional finger flexors. The non-throwing hand usually requires strapping to the support bar.

F52 - Athletes usually have good shoulder muscles and mildly weak to full elbow and wrist muscles which are required for throwing an implement. Finger flexor and extensor muscles are non-functional making grip of the implement difficult. The non-throwing hand usually requires strapping to the throwing frame.

F53 - Athletes have full muscle power at their shoulder, elbow and wrist in the throwing arm. Muscle power in the finger flexor and extensor muscles is functional, but there is always some weakness and resulting wasting of the intrinsic muscles of the hand. The grip on the implement is close to able-bodied and force can be imparted to the implement when throwing. The non-throwing hand grips the pole on the throwing frame.. An athlete with partial to full trunk control but with a throwing arm that fits the F52 profile is appropriately placed in this class.

F54 - Athletes have full power and movements in their arms, but no power in their abdominal muscles and typically no sitting balance. An athlete with partial to full trunk control but with upper limbs that fit the F53 profile is appropriately placed in this class.

F55 - Athletes have full function of the arms and partial to full trunk muscle power. There is no movement in the lower limbs. Athletes with bilateral hip disarticulations are appropriately placed in this class.

F56 - Athletes have full arm and trunk muscle power. Pelvic stability is provided by some to full ability to press the knees together. Hip abductor and hip extensor muscles are typically absent. Equivalent activity limitations are seen in athletes with bilateral high above knee amputations. Athletes with some but non-functional muscle power in the lower limbs will also fit in this class.

F57 - Athletes who meet one or more of the MDC for impaired muscle power, limb deficiency, impaired passive range of movement and leg length difference, who do not fit any of the previously described profiles, fall into this class.

MEDICAL DIAGNOSTICS FORMS FOR ATHLETES WITH INTELLECTUAL, PHYSICAL AND VISION IMPAIRMENTS

It is the responsibility of the athlete and the NPC to submit a copy of the Medical Diagnostics Form (MDF) and all relevant supporting medical documentation for athletes with vision and physical impairments to World Para Athletics via the SDMS online system.

For athletes with intellectual impairments, a TSAL-Q form has to be submitted. The Medical Diagnostics Forms and TSAL-Q form are available on the World Para Athletics Rules tab.

WORLD PARA ATHLETICS CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM

In 2003 World Para Athletics initiated a research programme to consider how the sports classification system could be enhanced by the application of a more scientific and objectively based approach. Such enhancements would be consistent with the IPC Classification Code.

You will find below a document prepared by the principle researcher, Dr Sean Tweedy. Any questions in relation to the document below should be directed to World Para Athletics via email [email protected]

IPC Classification Project for Physical Impairments Final report - Stage 1 updated 16 July 2010 (pdf)

CLASSIFICATION RULES AND REGULATIONS

World Para Athletics Classification Rules and Regulations 1 January 2018