Understanding the Paralympic Classification System

• T = Track events (e.g., sprints, middle-distance, long-distance).

• F = Field events (e.g., shot put, discus, javelin, long jump).

  Example: You see “F54 Javelin”. That means a field event (Javelin) for the 54 designation, which means an athlete that has lower limb impairments that may also include their trunk, but has solid upper body function.

1. Visual Impairment (Classes T/F 11-13)

• T/F 11:

• Description: Athletes in this class have little to no visual perception. They are either totally blind or have very limited light perception.

• Competition: Athletes in this category often compete with a sighted guide. Blindfolds are used to ensure consistency, as visual capabilities can vary slightly within this class.

• Specific Considerations: Precision and spatial awareness are significant challenges, making the guide’s role crucial in track events. In field events, athletes are often oriented by sound.

• T/F 12:

• Description: Athletes have a higher degree of vision than T/F 11 but still have severe visual impairment (e.g., visual acuity of 2/60 and/or a visual field of less than 5 degrees).

• Competition: Some athletes in this class may choose to use a guide, but it's not mandatory. Athletes can use visual aids like glasses or contact lenses.

• Specific Considerations: Athletes rely heavily on their remaining sight and may face difficulties in depth perception and tracking fast-moving objects.

• T/F 13:

• Description: Athletes have the least severe visual impairment in this category, with a visual acuity of up to 6/60 and/or a visual field of less than 20 degrees.

• Competition: Athletes do not use guides and generally compete independently, using their remaining vision.

• Specific Considerations: While these athletes have better vision than those in T/F 11-12, they still face significant challenges, especially in events requiring precise depth perception and quick adjustments.

2. Intellectual Impairment (Class T/F 20)

• T/F 20:

• Description: Athletes in this class have intellectual impairments, which can include conditions such as Down syndrome or autism spectrum disorders. These impairments affect cognitive functions, including reasoning, learning, problem-solving, and adaptive behavior.

• Competition: Athletes compete in both track and field events, with their performances potentially influenced by their cognitive processing abilities.

• Specific Considerations: Athletes may require more time to learn and apply complex techniques, and they may benefit from simplified instructions or structured routines.

3. Physical Impairments

3.1. Cerebral Palsy or Neurological Conditions (Classes T/F 31-38)

• T/F 31-34 (Seated Athletes):

• T/F 31:

• Description: Athletes have the most severe impairment in this group, often involving significant spasticity, athetosis, or ataxia affecting all four limbs. These athletes typically have very limited control of their movements and use a wheelchair.

• Competition: Events are conducted from a seated position, and athletes may need assistance in positioning and securing themselves.

• Specific Considerations: Coordination and muscle control are major challenges, making stabilization and adaptive equipment crucial.

• T/F 32:

• Description: Athletes still have severe impairments, primarily affecting all four limbs but with slightly better control than T/F 31. They often use a wheelchair.

• Competition: Similar to T/F 31, athletes compete from a seated position with significant assistance.

• Specific Considerations: Movements may be slightly more controlled, but still require substantial support and adaptation.

• T/F 33:

• Description: Athletes have moderate impairment, usually affecting their legs more than their arms. They may have some ability to walk with assistance or aids but use a wheelchair for competition.

• Competition: Events are also conducted from a seated position.

• Specific Considerations: These athletes have better control of their arms, which can lead to more dynamic and powerful movements in throwing events.

• T/F 34:

• Description: Athletes have moderate impairments, usually affecting their lower body. They have better upper body function and more control over their movements.

• Competition: Also conducted from a seated position, but athletes typically demonstrate more power and control than in T/F 31-33.

• Specific Considerations: These athletes may compete in more dynamic events, and their increased control allows for greater precision.

• T/F 35-38 (Standing Athletes):

• T/F 35:

• Description: Athletes have moderate to severe impairments affecting all four limbs, often presenting with spasticity, ataxia, or athetosis. They can walk, though their movement may be unsteady or awkward.

• Competition: Standing events are common, and athletes may use assistive devices like canes or braces.

• Specific Considerations: Coordination is a significant challenge, with athletes often needing to focus on balance and controlled movements.

• T/F 36:

• Description: Athletes have athetosis, ataxia, or dystonia, often resulting in involuntary movements or shaky limbs. These impairments affect their ability to execute smooth, controlled actions.

• Competition: Athletes compete in standing events and may require additional time to perform complex actions like jumps or throws.

• Specific Considerations: Involuntary movements can disrupt performance, so athletes need to focus on stability and muscle control.

• T/F 37:

• Description: Athletes typically have hemiplegia, meaning one side of their body is more affected than the other. This could result in a significant difference in strength and coordination between the two sides.

• Competition: Standing events are common, with a focus on balancing the asymmetry between the stronger and weaker sides.

• Specific Considerations: Athletes often need to develop techniques that compensate for the weaker side, making training highly specialized.

• T/F 38:

• Description: Athletes have the least severe impairments in this group, with mild spasticity or balance issues that can affect coordination and control.

• Competition: These athletes compete in standing events and often have a high level of functionality, though they may still struggle with fine motor control.

• Specific Considerations: While their impairments are milder, these athletes still need to manage balance and coordination, particularly in dynamic events.

3.2. Amputations or Limb Deficiencies (Classes T/F 40-46)

• T/F 40-41 (Short Stature):

• T/F 40:

• Description: Athletes have a more severe form of short stature due to conditions such as achondroplasia. Their height is significantly below the average for their age and sex.

• Competition: Athletes compete in standing events, but with modifications to account for their shorter limbs and different biomechanics.

• Specific Considerations: The mechanics of throwing and jumping are altered due to their shorter stature, requiring specialized training techniques.

• T/F 41:

• Description: Athletes also have short stature but are slightly taller or have fewer complications compared to T/F 40.

• Competition: Similar to T/F 40, with a focus on adjusting techniques to maximize efficiency despite their stature.

• Specific Considerations: Like T/F 40, these athletes need tailored training to optimize their unique biomechanics.

• T/F 42-44 (Lower Limb Impairments):

• T/F 42:

• Description: Athletes have impairments affecting one leg, such as an above-knee amputation. They may use prosthetics in competition.

• Competition: Standing events, with the use of prosthetics designed for running or jumping.

• Specific Considerations: The use of prosthetics requires careful fitting and adaptation, with a focus on balance and maximizing power transfer.

• T/F 43:

• Description: Athletes have impairments in both legs, such as double below-knee amputations. They may use bilateral prosthetics.

• Competition: Standing events, often with specialized running blades or jumping prosthetics.

• Specific Considerations: Balance and symmetry are crucial, as both legs are affected. Athletes must optimize the use of prosthetics for efficiency and power.

• T/F 44:

• Description: Athletes have less severe lower limb impairments, such as a single below-knee amputation or other functional limitations.

• Competition: Standing events with or without prosthetics, depending on the athlete’s preference and condition.

• Specific Considerations: These athletes typically have better balance and control, but still need to adapt their technique to accommodate their impairment.

• T/F 45-46 (Upper Limb Impairments):

• T/F 45:

• Description: Athletes have impairments affecting one arm, such as an above-elbow amputation. The impairment significantly impacts their ability to grip and manipulate objects.

• Competition: Standing events, with adaptations to account for the reduced upper limb function.

• Specific Considerations: Athletes may develop specialized techniques to compensate for the lack of arm function, such as using body momentum or enhanced lower body strength.

• T/F 46:

• Description: Athletes have less severe upper limb impairments, such as a below-elbow amputation. They may have more functionality in their impaired limb.

• Competition: Standing events with some modifications, depending on the specific nature of the impairment.

• Specific Considerations: These athletes may still face challenges with balance and coordination but have more flexibility in adapting their techniques.

• T/F 47:

• Description: Athletes have impairments in both arms but with milder functional limitations, such as reduced range of motion or strength.

• Competition: Standing events, with techniques adjusted for limited upper body involvement.

• Specific Considerations: These athletes often rely more heavily on their lower body strength and coordination to compensate for the upper limb limitations.

4. Wheelchair Users (Classes T/F 51-58)

• T/F 51-52:

• Description: Athletes have severe impairments, affecting the trunk and all four limbs. These impairments often result from spinal cord injuries or conditions like quadriplegia. Athletes have limited or no trunk control and minimal upper limb function.

• Competition: Events are conducted from a seated position, with specialized throwing chairs or wheelchairs.

• Specific Considerations: Stabilization is critical, and athletes may use various straps and supports to maintain posture and optimize their throwing mechanics.

• T/F 53-54:

• Description: Athletes have impairments affecting their lower limbs and possibly their trunk but have good upper body function. They typically have paraplegia or other conditions that limit leg function.

• Competition: Events are conducted from a seated position, often in a racing wheelchair or specialized throwing chair.

• Specific Considerations: These athletes focus on upper body strength and coordination, with an emphasis on maximizing power from the shoulders and arms.

• T/F 55-57:

• Description: Athletes have impairments primarily affecting their lower limbs, with minimal or no trunk involvement. They have strong upper body function and may have partial trunk control.

• Competition: Events are conducted from a seated position, but with more dynamic movement possible due to better trunk stability.

• Specific Considerations: Athletes focus on generating power through their core and upper body, often employing more advanced techniques due to their increased mobility.

• T/F 58:

• Description: Athletes have the least severe impairments among wheelchair users, typically involving impairments in one or both legs but with full trunk control.

• Competition: Events are conducted from a seated position, but athletes can fully utilize their trunk and upper body strength.

• Specific Considerations: These athletes often exhibit high levels of power and technique, similar to standing athletes, but adapted for seated competition.

Summary

The Paralympic classification system is designed to create a level playing field by grouping athletes with similar impairments together. Each classification accounts for the type and severity of the impairment, ensuring that competition remains fair and that athletes can perform to the best of their abilities. Whether dealing with visual impairments, intellectual disabilities, or physical impairments, each class has specific guidelines and considerations that influence how athletes train, compete, and adapt their techniques.

Here's a clean breakdown of each classification.