T43 (classification)

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T43 is a disability sport classification for disability athletics (track and jump events only), applying to athletes with "Double below knee amputation (or combined arm/leg amputation) or similar disability." It includes ISOD classified athletes from the A4 and A9 classes.

Contents

Definition

This classification is for disability athletics in the track and jump events. [1] This classification is one of several classifications for athletes with ambulant related disabilities. Similar classifications are T40, T42, T44, T45 and T46. [2] The International Paralympic Committee defined this class in 2011 as: "Double below knee amputees and other athletes with impairments that are comparable to a double below knee amputation." This includes athletes with loss of muscle power in the lower limbs consistent with Class F57 or F58." [3] The International Paralympic Committee defined this classification on their website in July 2016 as, "Lower limb affected by limb deficiency, leg length difference, impaired muscle power or impaired range of movement". [4]

Disability groups

Amputees

People who are amputees compete in this class, including ISOD A9. [5] [6]

Lower limb amputees

Type of amputation for an A4 classified sportsperson. ISOD A4 amputee sportperson profile.png
Type of amputation for an A4 classified sportsperson.

This class competes in T44. [5] [6] [7] Shank length for people in this class is not uniform, with competitors having different lengths of leg found below their knee. [8] People in this class use a prosthetic limb when competing in athletics. It has three parts: a socket, a shank and a foot. [6] People in this class can use standard starting blocks because their amputation generally allows for the use of a standard starting position. [6] Use of a specially made carbon fibre running prosthetic leg assists runners in this class in lowering their heart rate compared to using a prosthetic not designed for running. [9] Runners in this class can have lower metabolic costs compared to elite runners over middle and long distances. [9]

Inside the class, shank length does not impact the distance that male long jumpers can jump. [8] A study was done comparing the performance of athletics competitors at the 1984 Summer Paralympics. It found there was no significant difference in performance in times between women in A2, A3 and A4 in the long jump, men in A2, A3 and A4 in the high jump, men in A4, A5 and A6 in the high jump, and men in A1, A2, A3 and A4 in the 400 meter race. [10]

Historically, because of low participation rates in men's T43 races, the class has been combined with the T44 class. The combined class was then called T44 and included both single and double below the knee amputees. There was a push in 2008 to avoid this happening because of a perception that double below knee amputees had a competitive advantage compared to single below knee amputees. [7] [11] [12] Subsequent research related to results for men at the 2012 Summer Paralympics in London confirmed this to be the case for both the 200 meters and 400 meters. [7]

The nature of a person's amputations in this class can effect their physiology and sports performance. [6] [13] [14] People in this class use around 7% more oxygen to walk or run the same distance as someone without a lower limb amputation. [14]

Upper and lower limb amputees

Type of amputation for an A9 classified sportsperson. ISOD A9 amputee sportperson profile.png
Type of amputation for an A9 classified sportsperson.

Members of the ISOD A9 class compete in T42, T43, T44, F42, F43, F44, F56, F57, and F58. [5] [6] The shank length of people in this class can differ dramatically, and is not uniform across the class. [15]

The nature of an A9 athlete's amputations can effect their physiology and sports performance. [6] [14] Common problems with intact upper limbs for people in this class include rotator cuffs tearing, shoulder impingement, epicondylitis and peripheral nerve entrapment. [14]

Performance and rules

People in this class are not required to use a starting block. They have an option to start from a standing position, a crouch or a 3-point stance. In relay events involving T40s classes, no baton is used. Instead, a handoff takes place via touch in the exchange zone. [16] People in this class who are lower limb amputees are required to wear their leg prosthesis when they are on the track, and they must run. They cannot hop. [16] People with arm amputations in this class can have elevated padded blocks to place their stumps on for the start of the race. These blocks need to be in a neutral color or a color similar to that of the track, and they must be placed entirely behind the starting line. Their location needs to be such that they do not interfere with the start of any other athlete. [16]

In field events for this class, athletes are not required to wear a prosthetic. In jumping events, athletes have 60 seconds during which they must complete their jump. During this time, they can adjust their prosthetic. [16]

If during a jump the athlete's prosthesis falls off and lands closer to the takeoff board than the athlete, the mark is taken where the prosthesis landed. If prosthesis falls off outside the landing zone nearer the board than where athlete landed, the jump counts as a foul. [16]

Events

There are a number of different events open to people in this class internationally. Many competitions have their own minimum qualifying standards.

genderEventClassAQS/MQSBQSEvent
men's100mT43/4410.9511.32016 Summer Paralympics [17]
women's100mT43/4413.2413.532016 Summer Paralympics [17]
men's200mT43/4422.122.522016 Summer Paralympics [17]
women's200mT43/4428.3629.282016 Summer Paralympics [17]
men's400mT43/4449.2853.322016 Summer Paralympics [17]
women's400mT43/446201:10.02016 Summer Paralympics

History

The classification was created by the International Paralympic Committee and has roots in a 2003 attempt 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." [18]

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. [19] In case there was a need for classification or reclassification at the Games despite best efforts otherwise, athletics classification was scheduled for September 4 and September 5 at Olympic Stadium. For sportspeople with physical or intellectual disabilities going through classification or reclassification in Rio, their in competition observation event is their first appearance in competition at the Games. [19]

Becoming classified

For this class, 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. [20] During the observation phase involving training or practice, all athletes in this class may be asked to demonstrate their skills in athletics, such as running or jumping. A determination is then made as to what classification an athlete should compete in. Classifications may be Confirmed or Review status. For athletes who do not have access to a full classification panel, Provisional classification is available; this is a temporary Review classification, considered an indication of class only, and generally used only in lower levels of competition. [21]

For people in this class with amputations, classification is often based on the anatomical nature of the amputation. [13] [22] The classification system takes several things into account when putting people into this class; these include which limbs are affected, how many limbs are affected, and how much of a limb is missing. [23] [24]

Competitors

He took issue with the fact that during the Athens Paralympics I competed against the T44 athletes but, as I have stated, I made this choice precisely because there were no T43 athletes with qualifying times anywhere close to mine.

Oscar Pistorius [25]

Oscar Pistorius at the 2011 World Championships Athletics in Daegu Oscar Pistorius 2 Daegu 2011.jpg
Oscar Pistorius at the 2011 World Championships Athletics in Daegu

Oscar Pistorius is the men's world record holder for T43 in the 400 metres event. [26] With a 400 metres time of 45.07 seconds recorded on 19 July 2011, he achieved the "A" qualifying requirement for the 2011 World Championships and the 2012 Summer Olympics. In London 2012, Pistorius became the first amputee to run at the Summer Olympic Games. [27]

In the 2012 London Paralympics, Pistorius set a new world record in the first-round heats of the 200 metres T43/T44 event, finishing with a time of 21.30s. [28] However, he was defeated in the final by Brazilian runner Alan Oliveira with a time of 21.45. [29] Alan Oliveira currently holds the 100m T44 world record after winning the Paralympic Anniversary Games in London with a time of 10.57. [30]

Related Research Articles

4 point player Classification for wheelchair basketball

4 point player is a disability sport classification for wheelchair basketball. Players in this class have normal trunk function but have a reduced level of functioning in one or both of their lower limbs. They may have difficulty with sideways movements. People in this class include ISOD classified A1, A2 and A3 players.

4.5 point player

4.5 point player is a disability sport classification for wheelchair basketball. Players in this class tend to have normal trunk movement, few problems with side to side movements, and ability to reach to the side of their chair. Players generally have a below knee amputation, or some other partial single leg dysfunction. This classification is for players with minimal levels of disability. In some places, there is a class beyond this called 5 point player for players with no disabilities.

T42 is a disability sport classification for disability athletics, applying to athletes with single above the knee amputations or a disability that is comparable. This class includes ISOD classified A2 and A9 competitors.

T44 (classification)

T44 is a disability sport classification for disability athletics, applying to "Single below knee amputation or an athlete who can walk with moderately reduced function in one or both legs." It includes ISOD A4 and A9 classes.

T45 (classification)

T45 is disability sport classification in disability athletics for people with double above or below the elbow amputations, or a similar disability. The class includes people who are ISOD classes A5 and A7. The nature of the disability of people in this class can make them prone to overuse injuries. The classification process to be included in this class has four parts: a medical exam, observation during training, observation during competition and then being classified into this class.

T46 (classification) Para-athletics classification

T46 and F46 are disability sport classification for disability athletics. People in this class have a single below or above the elbow amputation. The amputee sports equivalent class is ISOD the A6 and A8 classes. People in this class can have injuries as a result of over use of their remaining upper limb. The classification process to be included in this class has four parts: a medical exam, observation during training, observation during competition and then being classified into this class.

T47 is a disability sport classification for disability athletics primarily for competitors with a below elbow or wrist amputation or impairment. T47 is a classification for track events but unlike the other T40 to T46 classifications it has no equivalent F47 classification for field events. The amputee sports equivalent class is ISOD the A8 class. People in this class can have injuries as a result of over use of their remaining upper limb.

F57 is a disability sport classification for disability athletics for people who compete in field events from a seated position. This class is for people with limb deficiencies not covered by other classes. It includes people who are members of the ISOD A1 and A9 classes. Events open to people in this class include the shot put, discus and javelin.

F56 is a disability sport classification for disability athletics for people who compete in field events from a seated position. The seating field event class used to be known as lower 4, upper 5. Different disability groups compete in this class, including people with amputations and spinal cord injuries. Events that may be on the program for F56 competitors include the discus throw, shot put and javelin.

F55 is a disability sport classification for disability athletics for people who compete in field events from a seated position. Sportspeople in this class have full arm function, partial trunk function and no lower limb function. Different disability groups compete in this class, including people with spinal cord injuries. The classification was previously known as lower 3, upper 4.

Amputee sports classification is a disability specific sport classification used for disability sports to facilitate fair competition among people with different types of amputations. This classification was set up by International Sports Organization for the Disabled (ISOD), and is currently managed by IWAS who ISOD merged with in 2005. Several sports have sport specific governing bodies managing classification for amputee sportspeople.

A2 is an amputee sport classification used by the International Sports Organization for the Disabled (ISOD).for people with acquired or congenital amputations. A2 sportspeople have one leg amputated above 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.

A3 is an amputee sport classification used by the International Sports Organization for the Disabled (ISOD) for people with acquired or congenital amputations. A3 classified sportspeople have both legs amputated below 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, badminton, lawn bowls, sitzball and wheelchair basketball.

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.

A9 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 combination of amputations of the upper and lower extremities. Their amputations impact their sport performance, including energy costs, balance and potential for overuse of muscles. Sports people in this class are eligible to participate in include athletics, swimming, sitting volleyball, amputee basketball, lawn bowls, sitzball and wheelchair basketball.

A1 is an amputee sport classification used by the International Sports Organization for the Disabled (ISOD) for people with acquired or congenital amputations. This class is for sportspeople who have both legs amputated above 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, badminton, lawn bowls, sitzball and wheelchair basketball.

References

  1. ↑ Buckley, Jane (2011). "Understanding Classification: A Guide to the Classification Systems used in Paralympic Sports" . Retrieved 12 November 2011.
  2. ↑ "Summer Sports » Athletics". Australia: Australian Paralympic Committee. Retrieved 19 November 2011.
  3. ↑ Tweedy, Sean (16 July 2010). "Research Report - IPC Athletics Classification Project for Physical Impairments" (PDF). Queensland, Australia: International Paralympic Committee. p. 41. Retrieved 19 November 2011.
  4. ↑ "IPC Athletics Classification & Categories". www.paralympic.org. Retrieved 2016-07-22.
  5. 1 2 3 "CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM FOR STUDENTS WITH A DISABILITY". Queensland Sport. Queensland Sport. Retrieved July 23, 2016.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Classification 101". Blaze Sports. Blaze Sports. June 2012. Retrieved July 24, 2016.
  7. 1 2 3 Hassani, Hossein; Ghodsi, Mansi; Shadi, Mehran; Noroozi, Siamak; Dyer, Bryce (2015-06-16). "An Overview of the Running Performance of Athletes with Lower-Limb Amputation at the Paralympic Games 2004–2012". Sports. 3 (2): 103–115. doi: 10.3390/sports3020103 .
  8. 1 2 Nolan, Lee; Patritti, Benjamin L.; Stana, Laura; Tweedy, Sean M. (2011). "Is Increased Residual Shank Length a Competitive Advantage for Elite Transtibial Amputee Long Jumpers?" (PDF). Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly. 28 (3): 267–276. doi:10.1123/apaq.28.3.267. PMID   21725118.
  9. 1 2 Broad, Elizabeth (2014-02-06). Sports Nutrition for Paralympic Athletes. CRC Press. ISBN   9781466507562.
  10. ↑ van Eijsden-Besseling, M. D. F. (1985). "The (Non)sense of the Present-Day Classification System of Sports for the Disabled, Regarding Paralysed and Amputee Athletes". Paraplegia. International Medical Society of Paraplegia. 23. Retrieved July 25, 2016.
  11. ↑ Zettler, P. Is It Cheating to Use Cheetahs? The Implications of Technologically Innovative Prostheses for Sports Value and Rules; Stanford Law School: Stanford, CA, USA, 2009.
  12. ↑ Dyer, B. An Insight into the Acceptable Use & Assessment of Lower-Limb Running Prostheses in Disability Sport. Ph.D. Thesis, Bournemouth University, Poole, UK, 2013.
  13. 1 2 DeLisa, Joel A.; Gans, Bruce M.; Walsh, Nicholas E. (2005-01-01). Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: Principles and Practice. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. ISBN   9780781741309.
  14. 1 2 3 4 Miller, Mark D.; Thompson, Stephen R. (2014-04-04). DeLee & Drez's Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. Elsevier Health Sciences. ISBN   9781455742219.
  15. ↑ Nolan, Lee; Patritti, Benjamin L.; Stana, Laura; Tweedy, Sean M. (2011). "Is Increased Residual Shank Length a Competitive Advantage for Elite Transtibial Amputee Long Jumpers?" (PDF). Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly. 28 (3): 267–276. doi:10.1123/apaq.28.3.267. PMID   21725118.
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 "PARALYMPIC TRACK & FIELD: Officials Training" (PDF). USOC. United States Olympic Committee. December 11, 2013. Retrieved August 6, 2016.
  17. 1 2 3 4 5 "ATHLETICS: RIO QUALIFICATION" (PDF). International Paralympic Committee. International Paralympic Committee.
  18. ↑ "Paralympic Classification Today". International Paralympic Committee. 22 April 2010. p. 3.{{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)
  19. 1 2 "Rio 2016 Classification Guide" (PDF). International Paralympic Committee. International Paralympic Committee. March 2016. Retrieved July 22, 2016.
  20. ↑ 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.
  21. ↑ "CLASSIFICATION Information for Athletes" (PDF). Sydney Australia: Australian Paralympic Committee. 2 July 2010. Retrieved 19 November 2011.
  22. ↑ Pasquina, Paul F.; Cooper, Rory A. (2009-01-01). Care of the Combat Amputee. Government Printing Office. ISBN   9780160840777.
  23. ↑ Tweedy, Sean M. (2002). "Taxonomic Theory and the ICF: Foundations for a Unified Disability Athletics Classification" (PDF). Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly. 19 (2): 220–237. doi:10.1123/apaq.19.2.220. PMID   28195770 . Retrieved July 25, 2016.
  24. ↑ International Sports Organization for the Disabled. (1993). Handbook. Newmarket, ON: Author. Available Federacion Espanola de Deportes de Minusvalidos Fisicos, c/- Ferraz, 16 Bajo, 28008 Madrid, Spain.
  25. ↑ Pistorius, Oscar (2012). Blade runner. London: Virgin. p. 145. ISBN   9780753540855. OCLC   782993965.
  26. ↑ PISTORIUS Oscar, International Paralympic Committee, archived from the original on 8 March 2014, retrieved 9 August 2012
  27. ↑ Robert Klemko (2012-08-10). "Oscar Pistorius makes history, leaves without medal". USA Today.
  28. ↑ "Pistorius smashes world record". News24. Retrieved 1 Sep 2012.
  29. ↑ Chowdhury, Saj (2 September 2012), "Paralympics 2012: Oscar Pistorius beaten by Alan Oliveira in 200m", BBC Sport, retrieved 8 September 2012
  30. ↑ "Oliveira breaks T43 100m world record". BBC Sport.
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