The following is a brief and very general description of the four classes. This system was first developed using complete spinal cord injury as the primary disability of the athletes who competed in wheelchair racing. This is why it is often difficult to classify all individuals who now participate in this sport as many of them have a disability other than a complete spinal cord injury i.e. Cerebral Palsy or Spina Bifida, or an amputation or an incomplete spinal cord injury. For example, an athlete with an incomplete spinal cord injury often has some degree of control of some muscles below their injury level. This can make categorizing the athlete into a particular class more complicated, as the guidelines do not recognize these exceptions of physical ability.

Class T51 An athlete with significant impairment of all four limbs and trunk; often someone with quadriplegia without the ability to straighten their elbows against gravity (no functional triceps) and no hand function. They often have strong biceps and may have some wrist movement into extension. This athlete does not have active abdominal muscles.

Class T52 An athlete with significant impairment of all four limbs and trunk; often someone with quadriplegia that retains strong shoulder and upper arm muscles including the triceps to give power to their push. This athlete may also have wrist movement and some finger movement but does not have full hand function. This athlete does not have active abdominal muscles but may have some active chest muscles.

Class T53 An athlete with significant impairment to the lower limbs and trunk; often someone with paraplegia without the use of their abdominal muscles and most of their back extensor muscles. This athlete has full or nearly full hand function.

Class T54 This class is considered the ‘Open Class.’ A typical athlete will have impairment of their lower limbs. They have full hand function and active use of their abdominal muscles and their back extensor muscles. This gives the athlete the ability to rotate through their trunk and sit up off of their knees without the use of their hands. Able-bodied athletes also compete in this class (in Canada and some international events), as do athletes with lower limb amputations.

Below is a copy of the card the athlete receives once they have been officially classified. The back of the card has the signatures of the panel of classifiers (usually a panel of three). Classifiers may be contacted through BC Wheelchair Sports at 604-333-3520.

BC WHEELCHAIR SPORTS ASSOCIATION

ATHLETICS CLASSIFICATION CARD

Athlete Name:

Date of Birth:

Male/Female:

Sport:

Class:

Reclassification Date: BC Wheelchair Sports Association

3820 Cessna Drive, Richmond, BC V7B 0A2

p. 604 333-3520, 1 877 737-3090
f. 604 333-3450

www.bcwheelchairsports.com

athlete photo here