S9 (classification)

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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.

Contents

Definition

This classification is for swimming. [1] In the classification title, S represents Freestyle, Backstroke and Butterfly strokes. SB means breaststroke. SM means individual medley. [1] Jane Buckley, writing for the Sporting Wheelies, describes the swimmers in this classification as having: "severe weakness in one leg only; Swimmers with very slight coordination problems; Swimmers with one limb loss. Unless there is an underlying medical condition usually all of these athletes will start out of the water." [1] Swimming classifications are on a gradient, with one being the most severely physically impaired to ten having the least amount of physical disability. [2]

Disability types

This class includes people with several disability types include cerebral palsy and amputations. [3] [4] [5]

Amputee

Type of amputation for an A8 classified sportsperson. ISOD A8 amputee sportperson profile.png
Type of amputation for an A8 classified sportsperson.

ISOD amputee A8 swimmers may be found in this class. [5] S9 amputee swimmers in this class have similar start times to people with legs amputations in S8 to S10 classes. [6] Paralympic S9 swimmers in this class can get water entry distance off the block comparable to Olympic athletes. [6] Compared to able bodied swimmers, swimmers in this class have a shorter stroke length and increased stroke rate. [6] Because their legs are their greatest strength, they modify their entry into the water to take advantage of this. [6]

The nature of a person's amputations in this class can effect their physiology and sports performance. Because they are missing a limb, amputees are more prone to overuse injuries in their remaining limbs. Common problems for intact upper limbs for people in this class include rotator cuffs tearing, shoulder impingement, epicondylitis and peripheral nerve entrapment. [7]

Cerebral palsy

The spasticity athetosis level and location of a CP8 sportsperson. CP8 disability profile.png
The spasticity athetosis level and location of a CP8 sportsperson.
The spasticity athetosis level and location of a CP7 sportsperson. CP7 disability profile.png
The spasticity athetosis level and location of a CP7 sportsperson.

CP7 and CP8 class swimmers are sometimes found in this class. [3] [4] 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. [8] [9] [10] [11] They may have involuntary muscles spasms on one side of their body. [10] [11] They have fine motor control on their dominant side of the body, which can present as asymmetry when they are in motion. [10] [12] People in this class tend to have energy expenditure similar to people without cerebral palsy. [13]

Because of the neuromuscular nature of their disability, CP7 and CP8 swimmers have slower start times than other people in their classes. [3] They are also more likely to interlock their hands when underwater in some strokes to prevent hand drift, which increases drag while swimming. [3] CP8 swimmers experience swimmers shoulder, a swimming related injury, at rates similar to their able-bodied counterparts. [3] When fatigued, asymmetry in their stroke becomes a problem for swimmers in this class. [3] 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. [14]

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. [15] CP8 swimmers tend to have a passive normalized drag in the range of 0.4 to 0.9. This puts them into the passive drag band of PDB6, PDB8, and PDB10. [16]

Spinal cord injuries

People with spinal cord injuries compete in this class, including F8 sportspeople. [17] [18] [19]

F8

Functional profile of a wheelchair sportsperson in the F8 class. F8 SP8 disability sports profile.png
Functional profile of a wheelchair sportsperson in the F8 class.
A profile of disability type of an F8 sportsperson. SP8 disability sport profile 2.png
A profile of disability type of an F8 sportsperson.

F8 is standing wheelchair sport class. [20] [21] The level of spinal cord injury for this class involves people who have incomplete lesions at a slightly higher level. This means they can sometimes bear weight on their legs. [22] In 2002, USA Track & Field defined this class as, "These are standing athletes with dynamic standing balance. Able to recover in standing when balance is challenged. Not more than 70 points in legs." [23] In 2003, Disabled Sports USA defined this class as, "In a sitting class but not more than 70 points in the lower limbs. Are unable to recover balance in challenged standing position." [20] In Australia, this class means combined lower plus upper limb functional problems. "Minimal disability." [24] It can also mean in Australia that the athlete is "ambulant with moderately reduced function in one or both lower limbs." [24] They have a normalized drag in the range of 0.6 to 0.7. [25]

History

The classification was created by the International Paralympic Committee. In 2003 the committee approved a plan which recommended the development of a universal classification code. The code was approved in 2007, and defines the "objective of classification as developing and implementing accurate, reliable and consistent sport focused classification systems", which are known as "evidence based, sport specific classification". In November 2015, they approved the revised classification code, which "aims to further develop evidence based, sport specific classification in all sports". [26]

In 1997, Against the odds : New Zealand Paralympians said this classification was graded along a gradient, with S1 being the most disabled and S10 being the least disabled. At this time, competitors who were S9 classified tended to be above the elbow or above the knee amputees. [27]

Competitions

For this classification, organisers of the Paralympic Games have the option of including the following events on the Paralympic programme: 50m and 100m Freestyle, 400m Freestyle, 100m Backstroke, 100m Butterfly, 100m Breaststroke and 200m Individual Medley events [28]

Records

In the S9 50 m Freestyle Long Course, the men's world record is held by Australia's Matthew Cowdrey and the women's world record is held by South Africa's Natalie Du Toit. [29] In the S9 100 m Freestyle Long Course, the men's world record is held by Australia's Rowan Crothers and the women's world record is held by South Africa's Natalie Du Toit. [30]

Paralympic records

The table below records the fastest ever Paralympic record in this class for specific events.

EventClassTimeNameNationDateGamesLocationRef
50 m freestyleS925.34WR Matthew John Cowdrey Flag of Australia.svg  Australia Sep 14, 2008 2008 Beijing China [31]
100 m freestyleS954.58WR Rowan Crothers Flag of Australia.svg  Australia July 24, 2014 2014 Glasgow Scotland [32]
400 m freestyleS94:17.02WR Jesus Collado Flag of Spain.svg  Spain Sep 12, 2008 2008 Beijing China [33]
100 m backstrokeS91:03.34WR Matthew John Cowdrey Flag of Australia.svg  Australia Sep 13, 2008 2008 Beijing China [34]
100 m butterflyS957.19WR William Martin Flag of Australia.svg  Australia Sep 2, 2021 2020 Tokyo Japan [35]
Legend: # – Record awaiting ratification by IPC;WR – World record;
Records not set in finals: h – heat;r – relay 1st leg;rh – relay heat 1st leg

Getting classified

Classification generally has four phases. The first stage of classification is a health examination. For amputees in this class, this is often done on site at a sports training facility or competition. The second stage is observation in practice, the third stage is observation in competition and the last stage is assigning the sportsperson to a relevant class. [36] Sometimes the health examination may not be done on site for amputees in this class because the nature of the amputation could cause not physically visible alterations to the body. [37]

In Australia, to be classified in this category, athletes contact the Australian Paralympic Committee or their state swimming governing body. [38] In the United States, classification is handled by the United States Paralympic Committee on a national level. The classification test has three components: "a bench test, a water test, observation during competition." [39] American swimmers are assessed by four people: a medical classified, two general classified and a technical classifier. [39]

Competitors

S9 classified swimmer Matthew Cowdrey 120411 - Matthew Cowdrey - 3b - 2012 Team processing.jpg
S9 classified swimmer Matthew Cowdrey

Swimmers who have competed in this classification include Ellie Cole, [40] Jesus Collado [40] and Matthew Cowdrey [40] who all won medals in their class at the 2008 Paralympics. [40]

American swimmers who have been classified by the United States Paralympic Committee as being in this class include Dana Albrycht, Luis Alicea, Hannah Aspden, Cody Bureau, Michael Prout Jr., David Gelfand, Joseph Peppersack, and Staci Perrige. [41]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">S8 (classification)</span> Para-swimming classification

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">S7 (classification)</span> Para-swimming classification

S7, SB6, SM7 are para-swimming classifications used for categorizing swimmers based on their level of disability. Swimmers in this class have use of their arms and trunk. They have limited leg function or are missing a leg or parts of both legs. 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.

S6, SB5, SM6 are para-swimming classifications used for categorising swimmers based on their level of disability. This class includes people with a number of different types of disability including short stature, major limb impairment or loss in two limbs. This includes people with cerebral palsy, people with dwarfism and amputees. The class competes at the Paralympic Games.

S5, SB4, SM5 are para-swimming classifications used for categorizing swimmers based on their level of disability. The class includes people with a moderate level of disability, and includes people with full use of their arms and hands, but limited to no use of their trunk and legs. It also includes people with coordination problems. A variety of disabilities are represented by this class including people with cerebral palsy. The class competes at the Paralympic Games.

S4, SB3, SM4 are para-swimming classifications used for categorising swimmers based on their level of disability. Swimmers in this class have coordination problems affecting all four of their limbs, or have movement in their arms, some trunk function and no leg function. Events this class can participate in include 50m and 100m Freestyle, 200m Freestyle, 50m Backstroke, 50m Butterfly, 50m Breaststroke, and 150m Individual Medley events. The class competes at the Paralympic Games.

S3, SB2, SM3 are para-swimming classifications used for categorising swimmers based on their level of disability. People in this class have some arm and hand function, but no use of their trunk and legs. They have severe disabilities in all their limbs. Swimmers in this class have a variety of different disabilities including quadriplegia from spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy and multiple amputations.

S2, SB1, SM2 are para-swimming classifications used for categorizing swimmers based on their level of disability. People in this class have limited use of their arms, and no or extremely limited use of their hands, legs and trunk. Swimmers in this class have a variety of different disabilities including cerebral palsy and amputations.

S1, SB1, SM1 are para-swimming classifications used for categorising swimmers based on their level of disability. The classifications cover athletes with "very severe coordination problems in four limbs or have no use of their legs, trunk, hands and minimal use of their shoulders only". Swimmers in this class have a variety of different disabilities including cerebral palsy.

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.

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 deemed to have an equivalent level of functionality.

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.

A6 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 arm 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, amputee basketball, amputee football, 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.

A8 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 arm 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, amputee basketball, amputee football, lawn bowls, and sitzball.

Les Autres sport classification is system used in disability sport for people with locomotor disabilities not included in other classification systems for people with physical disabilities. The purpose of this system is to facilitate fair competition between people with different types of disabilities, and to give credibility to disability sports. It was designed and managed by International Sports Organization for the Disabled (ISOD) until the 2005 merger with IWAS, when management switched to that organization. Classification is handled on the national level by relevant sport organizations.

F8, also SP8, is a standing wheelchair sport classification open to people with spinal cord injuries, with inclusion based on a functional classification on a points system for lower limb functionality. Sportspeople in this class need to have less than 70 points. The class has largely been used in Australia and the United States. F8 has largely been eliminated because of a perceived lack of need internationally for a standing wheelchair class. Sports this class participates in include athletics, swimming and wheelchair basketball. In athletics, participation is mostly in field events.

SS2 is a Les Autres sport classification ambulatory class for people with short stature. Eligible males have a standing height and arm length that added together are equal to or less than 200 centimetres (79 in). Eligible female have a standing height and arm length that added together are equal to or less than 190 centimetres (75 in). Internationally, governance for this sport is handled by IWAS, following the 2005 merger of ISMWSF and ISOD. Classification is handled nationally by relevant national organizations. People in this class can participate in a number of sports including athletics, swimming, and para-equestrian.

SS1 is a Les Autres sport classification is an ambulatory class for people with short stature. Eligible males have a standing height and arm length that added together are equal to or less than 180 centimetres (71 in). Eligible female have a standing height and arm length that added together are equal to or less than 173 centimetres (68 in).

References

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  2. ↑ Shackell, James (2012-07-24). "Paralympic dreams: Croydon Hills teen a hotshot in pool". Maroondah Weekly. Archived from the original on 2012-12-04. Retrieved 2012-08-01.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Scott, Riewald; Scott, Rodeo (2015-06-01). Science of Swimming Faster. Human Kinetics. ISBN   9780736095716.
  4. 1 2 Tim-Taek, Oh; Osborough, Conor; Burkett, Brendan; Payton, Carl (2015). "Consideration of Passive Drag in IPC Swimming Classification System" (PDF). VISTA Conference. International Paralympic Committee. Retrieved July 24, 2016.
  5. 1 2 Tim-Taek, Oh; Osborough, Conor; Burkett, Brendan; Payton, Carl (2015). "Consideration of Passive Drag in IPC Swimming Classification System" (PDF). VISTA Conference. International Paralympic Committee. Retrieved July 24, 2016.
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  7. ↑ Miller, Mark D.; Thompson, Stephen R. (2014-04-04). DeLee & Drez's Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. Elsevier Health Sciences. ISBN   9781455742219.
  8. ↑ "CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM FOR STUDENTS WITH A DISABILITY". Queensland Sport. Archived from the original on April 4, 2015. Retrieved July 23, 2016.
  9. ↑ "Classification Made Easy" (PDF). Sportability British Columbia. July 2011. Retrieved July 23, 2016.
  10. 1 2 3 "Clasificaciones de Ciclismo" (PDF). Comisión Nacional de Cultura Física y Deporte (in Mexican Spanish). Mexico. Retrieved July 23, 2016.[ permanent dead link ]
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  13. ↑ Broad, Elizabeth (2014-02-06). Sports Nutrition for Paralympic Athletes. CRC Press. ISBN   9781466507562.
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  15. ↑ Tim-Taek, Oh; Osborough, Conor; Burkett, Brendan; Payton, Carl (2015). "Consideration of Passive Drag in IPC Swimming Classification System" (PDF). VISTA Conference. International Paralympic Committee. Retrieved July 24, 2016.
  16. ↑ Tim-Taek, Oh; Osborough, Conor; Burkett, Brendan; Payton, Carl (2015). "Consideration of Passive Drag in IPC Swimming Classification System" (PDF). VISTA Conference. International Paralympic Committee. Retrieved July 24, 2016.
  17. ↑ International Paralympic Committee (February 2005). "SWIMMING CLASSIFICATION CLASSIFICATION MANUAL" (PDF). International Paralympic Committee Classification Manual. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-11-04.
  18. ↑ Winnick, Joseph P. (2011-01-01). Adapted Physical Education and Sport. Human Kinetics. ISBN   9780736089180.
  19. ↑ Tim-Taek, Oh; Osborough, Conor; Burkett, Brendan; Payton, Carl (2015). "Consideration of Passive Drag in IPC Swimming Classification System" (PDF). VISTA Conference. International Paralympic Committee. Retrieved July 24, 2016.
  20. 1 2 National Governing Body for Athletics of Wheelchair Sports, USA. Chapter 2: Competition Rules for Athletics. United States: Wheelchair Sports, USA. 2003.
  21. ↑ Consejo Superior de Deportes (2011). Deportistas sin Adjectivos (PDF) (in European Spanish). Spain: Consejo Superior de Deportes. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-11-04. Retrieved 2016-08-03.
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  23. ↑ "SPECIAL SECTION ADAPTATIONS TO USA TRACK & FIELD RULES OF COMPETITION FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES" (PDF). USA Track & Field. 2002.
  24. 1 2 Sydney East PSSA (2016). "Para-Athlete (AWD) entry form – NSW PSSA Track & Field". New South Wales Department of Sports. Archived from the original on 2016-09-28.
  25. ↑ Tim-Taek, Oh; Osborough, Conor; Burkett, Brendan; Payton, Carl (2015). "Consideration of Passive Drag in IPC Swimming Classification System" (PDF). VISTA Conference. International Paralympic Committee. Retrieved July 24, 2016.
  26. ↑ "History of Classification". International Paralympic Committee. Archived from the original on August 22, 2023.
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  29. ↑ "IPC Swimming World Records Long Course". International Paralympic Committee. Archived from the original on 19 May 2012. Retrieved 18 November 2011.
  30. ↑ "IPC Swimming World Records Long Course". International Paralympic Committee. Archived from the original on 19 May 2012. Retrieved 18 November 2011.
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  32. ↑ "Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games - Men's 100m freestyle - S9: Results Final" (PDF). Beijing Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games. 2008-09-08. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-09-11. Retrieved 2008-09-11.
  33. ↑ "Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games - Men's 400m freestyle - S9: Results Final" (PDF). Beijing Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games. 2008-09-12. Retrieved 2008-09-12.
  34. ↑ "Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games - Men's 100m backstroke - S9: Results Final" (PDF). Beijing Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games. 2008-09-13. Retrieved 2008-09-15.
  35. ↑ "Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games - Men's 100m butterfly - S9: Results Final" (PDF). Beijing Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games. 2008-09-07. Archived from the original on 2008-09-10. Retrieved 2008-09-11.
  36. ↑ Tweedy, Sean M.; Beckman, Emma M.; Connick, Mark J. (August 2014). "Paralympic Classification: Conceptual Basis, Current Methods, and Research Update". Paralympic Sports Medicine and Science. 6 (85): S11-7. doi:10.1016/j.pmrj.2014.04.013. PMID   25134747. S2CID   207403462 . Retrieved July 25, 2016.
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  39. 1 2 "U.S. Paralympics National Classification Policies & Procedures SWIMMING". United States Paralympic Committee. 26 June 2011. Retrieved 18 November 2011.
  40. 1 2 3 4 "Results". International Paralympic Committee. Retrieved 18 November 2011.
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