B4 (classification)

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B4 is a blind sport classification used in a variety of sports including sailing, bowls, swimming, and cycling. Unlike other blind sport classes, it only uses visual acuity for the purpose of being classed into it.

Contents

Definition

This is a medical classification for people with visual impairments. [1] Unlike other blind sport classes, it only uses visual acuity for the purpose of being classed into it. [2] BlindSports SA defines this classification as "This is from visual acuity above 6/60 up to and including visual acuity of 6/24 (up to 25%). No visual field is considered." [3] USABA defines this classification as "from visual acuity above 20/200 and up to visual acuity of 20/70 and a visual field larger than 20 degrees in the best eye with the best practical eye correction." [4]

Governance

In the United States, this classification is governed by the United States Association of Blind Athletes (USABA). [4] [1] [5] In New Zealand, this classification is governed by Blind Sport New Zealand. [6] In the United Kingdom, the classification is governed by British Blind Sport (BBS), [7] which is recognised nationally by Sport England. [8]

On a sport specific level, Blind Sailing handles national governance related to this class in the United Kingdom. [9] BBS handles governance for blind cricket in the United Kingdom. [7] In golf in Scotland, classification is handled by Scottish Blind Golf. [10]

Sport

Competitors in this classification are not eligible to compete in international competitions. [11] The classification is used in national competitions in Canada, Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom. [11] [3] [4] [12] It is used in a variety of sports including sailing, [9] bowls, [13] swimming, [14] and cycling. [15] B4 cyclists compete on tandem bicycles with a guide rider. [15] Junior IBSA blind sailing events sometimes allow for B4 competitors in international events. [2]

In blind cricket, B1, B2, B3 and B4 cricketers all play at the same time, but a maximum combined total of seven B2, B3 and B4 cricketers are allowed on the field at one time. [7] Scottish Blind Golf gives golfers in this classification a maximum handicap of 28 for men, with the handicap for women being slightly higher. [10]

While historically the English National Association of Visually Handicapped Bowlers had included limited field of vision as a consideration for this class, it was dropped because this vision issue did not impact ability in bowls. [13]

For swimming, the classification was eligible to compete at the 2012 Blind Sporting Association Australian Swimming Championships. [14]

There is an equivalent to this classification in blind archery known as VI Open, which is open to people with visual acuity of less than 20 degrees. [16] They should be able to use a bow sight. [17]

Equestrian sport is not open to Paralympic sport in this classification. [18]

History

This classification traces its history to the early history of blind sport. There was a belief that those with vision impairment that was less severe had a competitive advantage over competitors who had more severe impairment. Classification was developed by the IBSA to insure more even competition across the different bands of visual acuity. [19]

The International Sports Organization for the Disabled (ISOD) developed a blind classification system in 1976. The rise of the IBSA meant the ISOD classification system did not dominate as the primary classification system for blind sports competitors. The early classification system for blind sport was developed by the IBSA in 1980. [20]

The International Paralympic Committee made an attempt in 2003 to address "the overall objective to support and co-ordinate the ongoing development of accurate, reliable, consistent and credible sport focused classification systems and their implementation." [21]

B4+

There is a blind sport classification above B4 called B4+. This is used in the United Kingdom and is defined as "an individual with an acuity of 6/24 would be able to read the three top lines on a Snellen chart at six metres." [12]

Related Research Articles

Paralympic football consists of adaptations of the sport of association football for athletes with a physical disability. These sports are typically played using International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) rules, with modifications to the field of play, equipment, numbers of players, and other rules as required to make the game suitable for the athletes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">International Blind Sports Federation</span> International federation of sports for athletes with a vision impairment

The International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) is a non-profit organisation founded 1981 in Paris, France. It was formerly known as the International Blind Sports Association. IBSA's mission is to promote the full integration of blind and partially-sighted people in society through sport and to encourage people with a visual impairment to take up and practise sports. IBSA is a full and founding member of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paralympic sports</span> Type of sport with events contested at the Paralympic Games

The Paralympic sports comprise all the sports contested in the Summer and Winter Paralympic Games. As of 2020, the Summer Paralympics included 22 sports and 539 medal events, and the Winter Paralympics include 5 sports and disciplines and about 80 events. The number and kinds of events may change from one Paralympic Games to another.

Blind Sports Australia, formerly the Australian Blind Sports Federation (ABSF) was formed in 1980 as the national body to coordinate sport for the blind and vision-impaired in Australia. It encourages and provides access to international competition in world blind and multi-disabled championships for sports recognised by the International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). BSA is headquartered near Melbourne.

A sighted guide is a person who guides a person with blindness or vision impairment.

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> Blindness sports classification

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> Blindness sports classification

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> Blindness sports classification

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.

Para-athletics classification is a system to determine which athletes with disabilities may compete against each other in para-athletics events. Classification is intended to group together athletes with similar levels of physical ability to allow fair competition. Classification was created and is managed by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), which is regularly published via its IPC Athletics Classification Handbook. People with physical, vision and intellectual disabilities are eligible to compete in this sport at the Summer Paralympics. The classification for this sport was created during the 1940s and for much of its early history was a medical condition based classification system. The classification system has subsequently become a functional mobility based one, and is moving towards an evidence-based classification system.

Para-swimming classification is a function-based classification system designed to allow for fair competition in disability swimming. The classes are prefixed with "S" for freestyle, butterfly and backstroke events, "SB" for breaststroke and "SM" for individual medley events. Swimmers with physical disabilities are divided into ten classes based on their degree of functional disability: S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6, S7, S8, S9 and S10. The lower number indicates a greater degree of impairment. Those with visual impairments are placed in classes S11, S12 and S13. Class S15 is for athletes with hearing loss. Additional classes may be reserved for swimmers with intellectual impairment: S14, S18 for swimmers with Down Syndrome or class-S14 intellectual impairment combined with a physical impairment, and S19 for swimmers with autism.

Para-alpine skiing classification is the classification system for para-alpine skiing designed to ensure fair competition between alpine skiers with different types of disabilities. The classifications are grouped into three general disability types: standing, blind and sitting. Classification governance is handled by International Paralympic Committee Alpine Skiing. Prior to that, several sport governing bodies dealt with classification including the International Sports Organization for the Disabled (ISOD), International Stoke Mandeville Games Federation (ISMWSF), International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) and Cerebral Palsy International Sports and Recreation Association (CP-ISRA). Some classification systems are governed by bodies other than International Paralympic Committee Alpine Skiing, such as the Special Olympics. The sport is open to all competitors with a visual or physical disability. It is not open to people with intellectual disabilities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Para-Nordic skiing classification</span>

Para-Nordic skiing classification is the classification system for para-Nordic skiing which includes the biathlon and cross-country events. The classifications for Para-Nordic skiing mirrors the classifications for Para-Alpine skiing with some exceptions. A functional mobility and medical classification is in use, with skiers being divided into three groups: standing skiers, sit skiers and visually impaired skiers. International classification is governed by International Paralympic Committee, Nordic Skiing (IPC-NS). Other classification is handled by national bodies. Before the IPC-NS took over classification, a number of organizations handled classification based on the type of disability.

Goalball classification is the classification system for goalball. Goalball players with a disability are classified into different categories based on their vision based disability type. The classification is handled by the International Blind Sports Association.

Para-equestrian classification is a system for para-equestrian sport is a graded system based on the degree of physical or visual disability and handled at the international level by the FEI. The sport has eligible classifications for people with physical and vision disabilities. Groups of eligible riders include The sport is open to competitors with impaired muscle power, athetosis, impaired passive range of movement, hypertonia, limb deficiency, ataxia, leg length difference, short stature, and vision impairment. They are grouped into five different classes to allow fair competition. These classes are Grade I, Grade II, Grade III, Grade IV, and Grade V(Grade Names Changed as of Jan 2017). The para-equestrian classification does not consider the gender of the rider, as equestrines compete in mixed gender competitions.

Paratriathlon classification is the classification system for athletes participating in paratriathlon. It is governed by the World Triathlon. The sport has been included in the 2016 Summer Paralympics.

Disability judo classification is the medical classification system for disability judo. Judokas with a disability are classified into different categories based on their disability type. The classification is handled by the Blind Sports Association.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Disability classification in lawn bowls</span>

Bowls classification is the classification system for lawn bowls where players with a disability are classified into different categories based on their disability type. Classifications exist for blind bowlers. Bowls was played at the Paralympics and is a core sport of Commonwealth Games.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Disability classification in golf</span>

Disability golf classification is used for deaf golf, blind golf, amputee golf, golf for mentally disabled people, paraplegic golf and other forms of golf involving people with disabilities.

The IBSA World Games or World Blind Games are an international multi-sport event, occurring every four years, organized by the International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA). The events enable blind and partially sighted athletes to compete in a number of sports. The first event took place at Madrid, Spain in 1998.

References

  1. 1 2 Michael Horvat; Leonard H. Kalakian; Ron Croce; Virginia Dahlstrom (5 February 2010). Developmental/Adapted Physical Education: Making Ability Count. CUMMINGS. p. 361. ISBN   978-0-321-67827-0 . Retrieved 21 October 2012.
  2. 1 2 "BSI Blind Sailing International| Eligibility". Blind Sailing International. Archived from the original on 2013-10-08. Retrieved 2012-10-21.
  3. 1 2 "BlindSports SA". BlindSports SA. Retrieved 2012-10-03.
  4. 1 2 3 Joseph P. Winnick (27 October 2010). Adapted Physical Education and Sport. Human Kinetics. p. 245. ISBN   978-0-7360-8918-0 . Retrieved 21 October 2012.
  5. ↑ "The United States Association of Blind Athletes". Usaba.org. Retrieved 2012-10-21.
  6. ↑ "The Official site of Blind Sport New Zealand Inc". Blind Sport New Zealand. Archived from the original on 2013-02-06. Retrieved 2012-10-21.
  7. 1 2 3 "Blind Cricket Laws". Blind Cricket UK. Archived from the original on 2012-06-20. Retrieved 2012-10-21.
  8. ↑ Nesta Wiggins-James; Rob James; Graham Thompson (2005). AS PE for AQA. Heinemann. p. 237. ISBN   978-0-435-49930-3 . Retrieved 14 April 2013.
  9. 1 2 "Welcome to Blind Sailing". Blindsailing.net. Retrieved 2012-10-21.
  10. 1 2 "How to get involved". Scottish Blind Golf. Archived from the original on 2012-08-29. Retrieved 2012-10-21.
  11. 1 2 "Canadian Para-Nordic Classification Percentages for National Competitions (effective April 1st, 2012)". Canada: Cross Country Canada. 1 April 2012. Archived from the original (pdf) on 2012-10-04. Retrieved 3 October 2012.
  12. 1 2 "Membership :: Sight Classification Form". British Blind Sport. Archived from the original on 2016-03-09. Retrieved 2012-10-03.
  13. 1 2 Donald F. C. Loran; Caroline J. MacEwen (1995). Sports Vision. Butterworth-Heinemann. ISBN   978-0-7506-1578-5 . Retrieved 21 October 2012.
  14. 1 2 "2012 Blind Sporting Association Australian Swimming Championships". vi family network. 2012-08-20. Retrieved 2012-10-21.
  15. 1 2 Linda Mastandrea; Donna Czubernat (30 October 2006). Sports and the physically challenged: an encyclopedia of people, events, and organizations . Greenwood Press. p.  36. ISBN   978-0-313-32453-6 . Retrieved 21 October 2012.
  16. ↑ Michael A. Johnson; David Keating (2008). Assistive Technology for the Vision-Impaired and Blind. Springer. p. 689. ISBN   978-1-84628-867-8 . Retrieved 14 April 2013.
  17. ↑ "Shooting Categories". United Kingdom: British Blind Sport Archery. 2013. Archived from the original on 16 April 2014. Retrieved 14 April 2013.
  18. ↑ "Equestrian". Paralympics Great Britain. 2012. Retrieved 14 April 2013.
  19. ↑ Donald F. C. Loran; Caroline J. MacEwen (1995). Sports Vision. Butterworth-Heinemann. p. 45. ISBN   978-0-7506-1578-5 . Retrieved 14 April 2013.
  20. ↑ Yves Vanlandewijck; Walter Thompson (13 July 2011). Handbook of Sports Medicine and Science, The Paralympic Athlete. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN   978-1-4443-4828-6 . Retrieved 14 April 2013.
  21. ↑ "Paralympic Classification Today". International Paralympic Committee. 22 April 2010. p. 3.{{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)
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