Adaptive rowing classification

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Adaptive rowing classification is the classification system used for adaptive rowing. It is based on functional ability and is broken down into three specific classifications. This system is governed by Federation Internationale de Societes d'Aviron. Eligible competitors have a physical or visual disability.

Contents

Definition

Adaptive rowing has three broad classifications based on a rower's functional ability. These classifications are PR1 (previously AS) for arms and shoulders, PR2 (previously TA) for trunk and arm mobility, PR3 (previously LTA) for legs, trunk and arms mobility. [1] There was also previously a mixed boat classification called LTAIDMix4+, which included rowers with intellectual disabilities. [2]

Governance

The sport is governed by the Federation Internationale de Societes d'Aviron (FISA). [3]

Eligibility

As of 2012, people with visual and physical disabilities are eligible to compete in this sport. [4]

British Rowing defines two types of rowers with disabilities:

History

Adaptive rowing was taking place in France by 1971, with two classes of rowers initially participating: people with visual disabilities and people recovering from polio. People recovering from polio in France used boats with pontoons in order to increase their stability. Other changes were made to the boat with the development of a hinge-system to prevent rowers from tiring as easily. Blind rowers used the same boats during the 1970s and 1980s as their able-bodied counterparts but were guided on the course by a referee. [6] Blind rowers were also encouraged to be in boats with sighted rowers, with the blind rowers serving as the stroke and the cox paying special attention to help the blinder rower. Classification was not something developed in France in this era as there was a focus on integrating rowers into the regular rowing community. [7]

Adaptive rowing in the Netherlands began in 1979 with the founding of Stichting Roeivalidatie. There was not an emphasis on classification early on, but rather in integrating adaptive rowing with regular rowing inside of rowing clubs. Attempts were then made to customise equipment to suit an individual rower's specific needs as they related to their disability. [8]

Adaptive rowing in the United States began in 1981 with the catamaran being the boat first used by rowers with a disability. By 1991, a classification system was in place for domestic competitions, but it was still under development. Many rowers also competed against their able-bodied counterparts during this period. [9]

Adaptive rowing racing began in Australia in 1988. The first FISA recognised adaptive rowing World Cup event took place in 1991 and held in the Netherlands. [10]

Early governance of the sport in Australia was done by the Rowing Council with supporting from the Australian Rowing Association. Early classifications were limited because of the limited number of rowers. In many of the earliest races inside Australia, there were two classes: fixed seats and sliding seats. [11]

In 1991 in Great Britain, adaptive rowing was not a large concern. Rowing clubs endeavored to fully integrate rowers with disabilities into regular club races. [12]

By 1991, an international classification system was attempting to be developed. [12] These classes were:

This early system, called the Functional Classification System was not internationally agreed upon in part because it was not seen as entirely fair as it did not consider rower functionality and correct times based on that. [13] At this time, there was also discussion about whether or not classifications should be created for rowers with intellectual disabilities. [13] In 1992, the International Paralympic Committee formally took control of governance for disability sport. [14]

Classes

Erik Horrie, an Australian adaptive rower Erik Horrie Close-up.jpg
Erik Horrie, an Australian adaptive rower

Athletes are classified as follows:

PR3 (previously LTA). Legs, Trunks and Arms. Athletes are able to use a sliding seat and have function in their legs, trunks and arms to row. They may have a visual or physical impairment. Visually impaired athletes will wear blindfolds for vision impairment equality. [15] The three categories of vision impairment used in FISA sport classification for adaptive rowing are B1, B2, and B3, which within PR3 (LTA) adaptive rowing are respectively known as PR3-B1, PR3-B2, PR3-B3. [16]

PR2 (previously TA). Trunks and Arms. Athletes row with only their trunks and arm functional. They are unable to use a sliding seat due to impairment in the legs. [15]

PR1 (previously AS). Arms and Shoulders. Athletes row with only their arms and shoulders, as they do not have the use of their trunks or legs. [15]

Rules allow for a rower to compete in a higher functional class than they are currently classified. Rowers may not compete in lower classifications than they have been classified. [2] In the Coxed Four, the maximum number of vision impaired rowers in a boat is two. [17]

Process

For Australian competitors in this sport, the sport and classification is managed the national sport federation with support from the Australian Paralympic Committee. [18] There are three types of classification available for Australian competitors: Provisional, national and international. The first is for club level competitions, the second for state and national competitions, and the third for international competitions. [19]

For the 2008 Summer Paralympics, classification assignment for this class was handled by FISA. [20] For the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio, the International Paralympic Committee had a zero classification at the Games policy. This policy was put into place in 2014, with the goal of avoiding last minute changes in classes that would negatively impact athlete training preparations. All competitors needed to be internationally classified with their classification status confirmed prior to the Games, with exceptions to this policy being dealt with on a case-by-case basis. [21] In case there was a need for classification or reclassification at the Games despite best efforts otherwise, rowing classification was scheduled forSeptember 8 at Lagoa Stadium, and September 4 to 6 for visually impaired rowers. [21]

Future

Going forward, disability sport's major classification body, the International Paralympic Committee, is working on improving classification to be more of an evidence-based system as opposed to a performance-based system so as not to punish elite athletes whose performance makes them appear in a higher class alongside competitors who train less. [22]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pararowing</span>

Pararowing is a category of rowing race for those with physical, visual or intellectual disabilities.

Disability sports classification is a system that allows for fair competition between people with different types of disabilities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">B1 (classification)</span>

B1 is a medical-based Paralympic classification for blind sport. Athletes in this classification are totally or almost totally blind. It is used by a number of blind sports including blind tennis, para-alpine skiing, para-Nordic skiing, blind cricket, blind golf, five-a-side football, goalball and judo. Some other sports, including adaptive rowing, athletics and swimming, have equivalents to this class.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">B2 (classification)</span> Medical based Paralympic classification for blind sport

B2 is a medical based Paralympic classification for blind sport. Competitors in this classification have vision that falls between the B1 and B3 classes. The International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) defines this classification as "visual acuity ranging from LogMAR 1.50 to 2.60 (inclusive) and/or visual field constricted to a diameter of less than 10 degrees." It is used by a number of blind sports including para-alpine skiing, para-Nordic skiing, blind cricket, blind golf, five-a-side football, goalball and judo. Some sports, including adaptive rowing, athletics and swimming, have equivalents to this class.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">B3 (classification)</span>

B3 is a medical based Paralympic classification for blind sport. Competitors in this classification have partial sight, with visual acuity from 2/60 to 6/60. It is used by a number of blind sports including para-alpine skiing, para-Nordic skiing, blind cricket, blind golf, five-a-side football, goalball and judo. Some other sports, including adaptive rowing, athletics and swimming, have equivalents to this class.

LTA-PD is an adaptive rowing classification for people with physical disabilities that was developed in March 2011. It includes people with spinal cord injuries generally at around the S1 level. It also includes people with cerebral palsy. People in this class have issues with their legs, arms and trunk.

LTA-B1 is an adaptive rowing classification. The classifications were developed and current as of March 2011.

LTA-B2 is an adaptive rowing classification. The classifications were developed and current as of March 2011.

LTA-B3 is an adaptive rowing classification. The classifications were developed and current as of March 2011.

PR3 4+ is a Paralympic rowing classification. The classifications were developed and current as of March 2011. In 2017 the designation was changed from LTA to PR3.

PR2 2x is a Paralympic rowing classification. The classifications were developed and current as of March 2011. In 2017 the designation was changed from TA to PR2.

PR1 M1x is a Paralympic rowing classification. The classifications were developed and current as of March 2011. The event changed from A to AS, then in 2017 the designation was changed from AS to PR1.

PR1 W1x is a Paralympic rowing classification. The classifications were developed and current as of March 2011. The event changed from A to AS, then in 2017 the designation was changed from AS to PR1.

ID is an adaptive rowing classification. The classifications were developed and current as of March 2011.

PR2 is a Paralympic rowing classification for people with trunk and arm function. The class includes people with spinal cord injuries, including people who have lesions from T10 to L4. This class has its origins in the P2 class, part of the original classification system for the sport developed in 1991.

A4 is an amputee sport classification used by the International Sports Organization for the Disabled (ISOD).for people with acquired or congenital amputations. People in this class have one leg amputated below the knee. Their amputations impact their sport performance, including having balance issues, increased energy costs, higher rates of oxygen consumption, and issues with their gait. Sports people in this class are eligible to participate in include athletics, swimming, sitting volleyball, archery, weightlifting, wheelchair basketball, amputee basketball, amputee football, lawn bowls, and sitzball.

A5 is an amputee sport classification used by the International Sports Organization for the Disabled (ISOD).for people with acquired or congenital amputations. A5 sportspeople are people who have both arms amputated above or through the elbow joint. Their amputations impact their sport performance, including being more prone to overuse injuries. Sports people in this class are eligible to participate in include athletics, swimming, cycling, lawn bowls, and sitzball.

A7 is an amputee sport classification used by the International Sports Organization for the Disabled (ISOD) for people with acquired or congenital amputations. A7 sportspeople have both arms amputated below the elbow, but through or above the wrist joint. Their amputations impact their sport performance, including being more prone to overuse injuries. Sports people in this class are eligible to participate in include athletics, swimming, cycling, lawn bowls, and sitzball.

F1, also T1 and SP1, is a wheelchair sport classification that corresponds to the neurological level C6. Historically, it was known as 1A Complete. People in this class have no sitting balance, and are tetraplegics. They may be able to perform limited actions with one hand. They lack sitting balance, and have limited head control and respiratory endurance. The process for classification into this class has a medical and functional classification process. This process is often sport specific.

F2, also T2 and SP2, is a wheelchair sport classification that corresponds to the neurological level C7. Historically, it was known as 1B Complete, 1A Incomplete. People in this class are often tetraplegics. Their impairment effects the use of their hands and lower arm, and they can use a wheelchair using their own power.

References

  1. ↑ "Summary of proposed changes to the FISA Rules of Racing, related Bye-Laws and Event Regulations" (PDF). FISA . Retrieved 13 February 2017.
  2. 1 2 Volker Nolte (1 July 2011). Rowing Faster. Human Kinetics. p. 200. ISBN   978-0-7360-9040-7 . Retrieved 19 August 2012.
  3. ↑ Ian Brittain (4 August 2009). The Paralympic Games Explained. Taylor & Francis. p. 40. ISBN   978-0-415-47658-4 . Retrieved 21 August 2012.
  4. ↑ "Layman's Guide to Paralympic Classification" (PDF). Bonn, Germany: International Paralympic Committee. p. 11. Retrieved 19 August 2012.
  5. 1 2 "Adaptive Rowing" . Retrieved 8 March 2020.
  6. ↑ Stichting Roeivalidatie (1991). International Symposium Adaptive Rowing Amsterdam June, 26-27 1991. Rotterdam, Netherlands: Stichting Roeivalidatie. p. 18. OCLC   221080358.
  7. ↑ Stichting Roeivalidatie (1991). International Symposium Adaptive Rowing Amsterdam June, 26-27 1991. Rotterdam, Netherlands: Stichting Roeivalidatie. p. 19. OCLC   221080358.
  8. ↑ Stichting Roeivalidatie (1991). International Symposium Adaptive Rowing Amsterdam June, 26-27 1991. Rotterdam, Netherlands: Stichting Roeivalidatie. p. 14. OCLC   221080358.
  9. ↑ Stichting Roeivalidatie (1991). International Symposium Adaptive Rowing Amsterdam June, 26-27 1991. Rotterdam, Netherlands: Stichting Roeivalidatie. p. 16. OCLC   221080358.
  10. ↑ Stichting Roeivalidatie (1991). International Symposium Adaptive Rowing Amsterdam June, 26-27 1991. Rotterdam, Netherlands: Stichting Roeivalidatie. p. 5. OCLC   221080358.
  11. ↑ Stichting Roeivalidatie (1991). International Symposium Adaptive Rowing Amsterdam June, 26-27 1991. Rotterdam, Netherlands: Stichting Roeivalidatie. p. 10. OCLC   221080358.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Stichting Roeivalidatie (1991). International Symposium Adaptive Rowing Amsterdam June, 26-27 1991. Rotterdam, Netherlands: Stichting Roeivalidatie. p. 21. OCLC   221080358.
  13. 1 2 Stichting Roeivalidatie (1991). International Symposium Adaptive Rowing Amsterdam June, 26-27 1991. Rotterdam, Netherlands: Stichting Roeivalidatie. p. 22. OCLC   221080358.
  14. ↑ DePauw, Karen P; Gavron, Susan J (1995). Disability and sport . Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics. p.  43. ISBN   0873228480. OCLC   31710003.
  15. 1 2 3 "Rowing Classification". Australian Paralympic Committee. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
  16. ↑ "FISA Rule Book 2017 Edition" (PDF). FISA. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
  17. ↑ "Rowing". Paralympics Great Britain. 2012. Retrieved 14 April 2013.
  18. ↑ "Summer Sports". Homebush Bay, New South Wales: Australian Paralympic Committee. 2012. Archived from the original on 15 August 2012. Retrieved 19 August 2012.
  19. ↑ "What is Classification?". Sydney, Australia: Australian Paralympic Committee. Retrieved 30 July 2012.
  20. ↑ "Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games Classification Guide" (PDF). China: International Paralympic Committee. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 June 2012. Retrieved 14 April 2013.
  21. 1 2 "Rio 2016 Classification Guide" (PDF). International Paralympic Committee. International Paralympic Committee. March 2016. Retrieved July 22, 2016.
  22. ↑ "Classification History". Bonn, Germany: International Paralympic Committee. Retrieved 30 July 2012.
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