Integrated Swimming Classification: A Faulted System

Abstract

Classification is intended to provide fair competition for athletes. Each disability group has developed different methods and techniques of classification to ensure fair competition. However, the 1992 Paralympics will use integrated classification for swimmers from the International Sports Organization for the Disabled (ISOD), the International Stoke Mandeville Wheelchair Sports Federation (ISMWSF), and the Cerebral Palsy International Sports and Recreation Association (CP-ISRA). The integrated swimming classification is said to be based on the research of Counsilman. The developers of the integrated swimming classification system have assigned point values for body parts involved in swimming propulsion. Counsilman (1977) refutes the assignment of points to swimming propulsion since it is unscientific and based on subjective evaluation. Further, the integrated swimming classification has yet to undergo extensive field testing to determine its reliability and validity. Additionally there are physiological, sports technical, and statistical problems with the integrated system.

Biomechanical Consequences of Impairment: A Taxonomically Valid Basis for Classification in a Unified Disability Athletics System

“…This is because the results from the impairment assessments used in the current systems are not able to be meaningfully compared, and, therefore, there is no firm taxonomic basis for establishing relationships between the impairments (i.e., the units ofclassification) and placing them in classes. Richter, Adams Mushett, Ferrara, and McCann (1992) made similar observations regarding the ability to compare different impairments in a unified system. Tweedy where Fxis horizontal forward force, Fzis vertical downward force, and Fy is force applied outward from the term locomotor impairment is not accurate, because, while a person with an ankylosis of the wrist on the dominant throwing arm meets current minimal activity limitation criteria (ISOD, 1993, Sect.…”

“…Similar points have made elsewhere in the literature (McCann, 1993;McCann, 1994;Richter et al, 1992). While the opinions of the authors cited may no longer be current, the "grapefruit" analogy is thought provoking when considered from a taxonomic perspective.…”

“…The results of the ISOD (amputee) assessment-which describes stump lengths and major joints amputated---eannot be compared with the results of tests of muscle tone and pattern recognition used in the CP-ISRAsystem. Conversely, no single system of impairment evaluation can be used for all the impairment groups (e.g., the ISMSWFStandard Muscle Charting provides limited information in relation to the consequences ofacquired brain injury; Richter et al, 1992).…”

Adapted Aquatics & Rehabilitation: A Literature Synthesis

“…In the early stages of competitive-swimming classification, there was much criticism aimed toward physiological assessments, biomechanical comparisons, point schemes, and reliability between classifiers (Richter, Adams-Mushett, Ferrara, & McCann, 1992). The competition results did not support the classification systems (Gehlsen & Karpuk, 1992).…”

Validity of the test–table–test for Nordic skiing for classification of paralympic sit-ski sports participants

“…4 A functional classification system to minimize the influence of impairments on sport outcome is therefore of great importance. The International Paralympic Committee (IPC), the international governing body of sports for disabled athletes, defines functional classification as follows: 'The categorization of competitors into classes on the basis of their performance potential, based on the relationship between impairment and sports activity'.…”