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Due to the wide ranges of CP in its severity and expression, one may wonder how we can make sport fair for athletes with disabilities. In order to maintain fair competition, athletes are classified under a system that functionally assesses and assigns them to a sports class where their abilities will be functionally similar to those of other athletes in the same class.
Classification is done by a team consisting of medical professionals (i.e. physical therapist) and sport technical experts, and is repeated every two years to ensure that an athlete is competing within his/her ability range. |
Tammy Mcleod winds up for a shot |
Here is a brief introduction to the classes involved in CP sports.
Class 1 (CP1)
- Severe spasticity in all four limbs causing limited functional range of motion and coordination;
- May require an electric wheelchair for mobility.
Class 2 (CP2)
- Subdivided into:
- 2U- athetoid quadriplegic using arms to propel wheelchair;
- 2L- spastic quadriplegic using feet to propel wheelchair.
Class 3 (CP3)
- Moderate to minimal quadriplegic or severe hemiplegic;
- Requires wheelchair for all events.
Class 4 (CP4)
- Spastic diplegic or minimal quadriplegic;
- May be able to ambulate using canes or crutches, but performs all events from a wheelchair.
Class 5 (CP5)
- Spastic diplegic or minimal quadriplegic;
- May use canes or crutches for ambulation and sporting events;
- Ambulatory - does not use wheelchair for any events.
Class 6 (CP6)
- Moderate or minimal athetoid or spastic quadriplegic;
- May have balance and control problems, but is ambulatory for all events.
Class 7 (CP7)
- Ambulatory hemiplegic;
- Good functional ability.
Class 8 (CP8)
- Minimal disability group;
- May be monoplegic or minimal diplegic;
- May have minimal loss of function and coordination.
A detailed description of each class can be found in the CP-ISRA (Cerebral Palsy International Sports and Recreation Association) classification manuals or by visiting their website at www.cpisra.org.
