CP7 is a disability sport classification specific to cerebral palsy. In many sports, it is grouped inside other classifications to allow people with cerebral palsy to compete against people with other different disabilities but with the same level of functionality. Sportspeople in this class can walk but may appear to have a limp as half their body is affected by cerebral palsy.
Sports which are open to this classification include athletics, football, skiing, standing volleyball, and swimming. In athletics, they compete in the T37/F37 class. CP7 alpine skiers compete in LW9/1 and LW9/2 in para-alpine, and in LW9 for para-Nordic skiing. CP7 swimmers are often classified in S7, S8, S9 or S10.
Cerebral Palsy-International Sports and Recreation Association defined this class in January 2005 as, "Hemiplegic This Class is for the true ambulant hemiplegic athlete. A Class 7 athlete has Spasticity Grade 3 to 2 in one half of the body. They walk without assistive devices but often with a limp due to spasticity in the lower limb. Good functional ability in dominant side of the body. Lower Extremities-Hemiplegia Spasticity Grade 3 to 2. Dominant side has better development and good follow through movement in walking and running. Athlete has difficulty walking on his heels and has significant difficulty with hopping on the impaired leg. Side stepping towards the impaired side is also affected. Athletes with moderate to minimal athetosis do not fit into this Class. Upper Extremities-Arm and hand control is only affected in the non-dominant side. There is good functional control on the dominant side." [1]
CP7 class sports people tend to participate in football, cycling, swimming and athletics. [2]
CP7 sportspeople are able to walk, but appear to do so while having a limp as one side of their body is more affected than the other. [3] [4] [5] [6] They may have involuntary muscles spasms on one side of their body. [5] [6] They have fine motor control on their dominant side of the body, which can present as asymmetry when they are in motion. [5] [7] People in this class tend to have energy expenditure similar to people without cerebral palsy. [2]
In athletics events, CP7 competitors participate in T37/F37 classes. [3] [7] [8] [9] Their running form manifests as if they have a limp. [3] [6] Their disability manifests itself less when they are running as opposed to walking. [6]
People with cerebral palsy are eligible to compete in cycling at the Paralympic Games. [2] [10] [11] CP7 and CP8 may compete on a bicycle in the C4 class. [12] [13]
CP7 sportspeople are eligible to compete in association football in the sport of CP football. [1] [2] CP7 players are classified as FT7. [4] [14] [15]
When running, CP7 soccer players knee pickup is not as high as able-bodied players and their stride may be shorter as a result of spasticity. [16] Lack of coordination may make it difficult for them to do accurate headers. [16] Their level of disability is such that most can be mainstreamed and compete against able-bodied players. [17]
CP footballers are first required to go through national level classification before being eligible for international classification. [16] The first stage of international classification involves a physical assessment. This may involve classifiers who are medical experts. [16] The second stage involves observing the footballer practising their sport specific skills in a non-competitive setting. [16] The third stage involves classifiers observing the player in competition for at least 30 minutes. [16] Following that, the classification panel then assigns the footballer to a class, which may also include "Not Eligible." [16]
People with cerebral palsy are eligible to compete in alpine and Nordic skiing at the Paralympic Games. [1] [2] [18] CP7 alpine skiers compete in LW9/1 and LW9/2 in para-alpine, and in LW9 for para-Nordic skiing. [1] [2] [18]
In teaching skiers with cerebral palsy, instructors are encouraged to delay the introduction ski poles as skiers may overgrip them. Use of a ski bra is also encouraged as it helps the skier learn correct knee and hip placement. One method of learning to ski for competitors with cerebral palsy in this classification is the American Teaching System. They first thing skiers learn is what their equipment is, and how to put it on and take it off. Next, skiers learn about positioning their body in a standing position on flat terrain. After this, the skier learns how to side step, and then how to fall down and get back up again. The skier then learns how to do a straight run, and then is taught how to get on and off the chair lift. This is followed by learning wedge turns and weight transfers, wedge turns, wide track parallel turns, how to use ski poles, and advanced parallel turns. [19]
While learning to ski, skiers in this class with cerebral palsy may use ski-bras, bungee cords, outriggers, slant boards or toe boards. [20]
Standing volleyball is a disability sport variant open to people with different types of permanent minimal disabilities, with two different grades of teams depending on the severity of their disability. CP7 and CP8 sportspeople are eligible to participate in Grade A. This grade includes people who have finger amputations. [21]
CP7 swimmers are often classified in S7, S8, S9 or S10 because of their hemiplegia and spasticity. The less severe, the closer they are to S10. [22] [23]
Because of the neuromuscular nature of their disability, they have slower start times than other people in their classes. [22] They are also more likely to interlock their hands when underwater in some strokes to prevent hand drift, which increases drag while swimming. [22] For S8 classified swimmers with CP, they are able to record long distances underwater. The longest distances Paralympic S8 swimmers can measure are often half that of comparable Olympic counters. This is attributed to neuromuscular related drag issues. CP swimmers are more efficient at above water swimming than underwater swimming. [22]
CP7 swimmers tend to have a passive normalized drag in the range of 0.6 to 0.8. This puts them into the passive drag band of PDB6, PDB8, and PDB9. [23]
CP7 swimmers experience swimmers shoulder, a swimming related injury, at rates similar to their able-bodied counterparts. [22] When fatigued, asymmetry in their stroke becomes a problem for swimmers in this class. [22] The integrated classification system used for swimming, where swimmers with CP compete against those with other disabilities, is subject to criticisms has been that the nature of CP is that greater exertion leads to decreased dexterity and fine motor movements. This puts competitors with CP at a disadvantage when competing against people with amputations who do not lose coordination as a result of exertion. [24]
People with cerebral palsy are eligible to compete at the elite level in a number of other sports including wheelchair fencing, wheelchair basketball, table tennis, sledge hockey, powerlifting, rowing, sailing, shooting, archery, para-equestrian. [1] [2] [7] [18] They can also participate in cycling, where they compete in the C4 class. [5] [8] In race running, CP7 may be classified as RR4. [25] Para-Taekwondo is another sport open to CP5, CP6, CP7 and CP8 class competitors. [26] Early on, the CP7 classification competed as CP7 before a different sport specific classification system was developed. [26]
S8, SB7, SM8 are para-swimming classifications used for categorizing swimmers based on their level of disability. This class includes a number of different disabilities including people with amputations and cerebral palsy. The classification is governed by the International Paralympic Committee, and competes at the Paralympic Games.
S10, SB9, SM10 are para-swimming classifications used for categorizing swimmers based on their level of disability. Swimmers in this class tend to have minimal weakness affecting their legs, missing feet, a missing leg below the knee or problems with their hips. This class includes a number of different disabilities including people with amputations and cerebral palsy. The classification is governed by the International Paralympic Committee, and competes at the Paralympic Games.
S9, SB8, SM9 are para-swimming classifications used for categorizing swimmers based on their level of disability. Swimmers in this class generally have severe weakness in one leg. This class includes a number of different disabilities including people with amputations and cerebral palsy. The classification is governed by the International Paralympic Committee, and competes at the Paralympic Games.
T38 and CP8 are disability sport classification for disability athletics intended for people with cerebral palsy. It includes people who have coordination impairments such as hypertonia, ataxia and athetosis. Runners in this class may appear to have a slight limp when they are running but otherwise have a stride similar to able-bodied runners. Events for this class include 100 meters, 400 meters, 1,500 meters, and the long jump.
Disability sports classification is a system that allows for fair competition between people with different types of disabilities.
C4 is a para-cycling classification. It includes people with lower limb impairments or issues with lower limb functionality. Disability groups covered by this classification include people with cerebral palsy, amputations and other lower limb impairments. The responsibility for this classification passed from the IPC to the UCI in September 2006.
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.
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.
Para-archery classification is the classification system for para-archery used to create a level playing field for archers with a different range of disabilities. Governance in the sport is through the International Archery Federation. Early classification systems for the sport were created during the 1940s and based on medical classification. This has subsequently changed to a functional mobility classification with the exception of blind archery.
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.
LW9 is a para-alpine and para-Nordic standing skiing sport class, a classification defined by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) for people with upper and lower limb function problems, and includes cerebral palsy skiers classified CP5, CP6 and CP7, along with people with hemiplegia or amputations. For international skiing competitions, classification is done through IPC Alpine Skiing or IPC Nordic Skiing. A national federation such as Alpine Canada handles classification for domestic competitions. This classification is separated into two subclasses including LW9.1 and LW9.2.
CP1 is a disability sport classification specific to cerebral palsy. In many sports, it is grouped inside other classifications to allow people with cerebral palsy to compete against people with other different disabilities but the same level of functionality. CP1 classified competitors are the group who are most physically affected by their cerebral palsy. They are quadriplegics.
CP2 is a disability sport classification specific to cerebral palsy. In many sports, it is grouped inside other classifications to allow people with cerebral palsy to compete against people with other different disabilities but the same level of functionality. People in this class tend to use electric wheelchairs and are quadriplegic. CP2 competitors have better upper body control when compared to CP1.
CP3 is a disability sport classification specific to cerebral palsy. In many sports, it is grouped inside other classifications to allow people with cerebral palsy to compete against people with other different disabilities but the same level of functionality. Compared higher number CP classes, they have increased issues with head movement and trunk function. They tend to use wheelchairs on a daily basis though they may be ambulant with the use of assistive devices.
CP4 is a disability sport classification specific to cerebral palsy. In many sports, it is grouped inside other classifications to allow people with cerebral palsy to compete against people with other different disabilities but the same level of functionality. Compared lower number CP classes, they have fewer issues with head movement and trunk function. They tend to use wheelchairs on a daily basis though they may be ambulant with the use of assistive devices.
CP5 is a disability sport classification specific to cerebral palsy. In many sports, it is grouped inside other classifications to allow people with cerebral palsy to compete against people with other different disabilities but the same level of functionality. Sportspeople in this class have greater functional control of their upper body, and are generally ambulant with the use of an assistive device. Quick movements can upset their balance.
CP6 is a disability sport classification specific to cerebral palsy. In many sports, it is grouped inside other classifications to allow people with cerebral palsy to compete against people with other different disabilities but the same level of functionality. Sportspeople in this class are ambulatory, and able to walk without the use of an assistive device. Their bodies are constantly in motion. The running form of people in this class is often better than their form while walking.
CP8 is a disability sport classification specific to cerebral palsy. In many sports, it is grouped inside other classifications to allow people with cerebral palsy to compete against people with other different disabilities but the same level of functionality.
Cerebral palsy sport classification is a classification system used by sports that include people with cerebral palsy (CP) with different degrees of severity to compete fairly against each other and against others with different types of disabilities. In general, Cerebral Palsy-International Sports and Recreation Association (CP-ISRA) serves as the body in charge of classification for cerebral palsy sport, though some sports have their own classification systems which apply to CP sportspeople.