Estimating the extent of activity limitation
Currently such research permitting true evidence based classification (as defined) does not exist. This research is needed and has been initiated in a number of Paralympic Sports. In the absence of research evidence, the current best practice for estimating the extent of activity limitation resulting from impairment requires experts in classification to assess four key areas:
1. Impairment(s)
These tests include, but are not limited to:
1. manual muscle test scores for individual movements (e.g., elbow flexion, elbow extension), assessment of hypertonia at different joints, residual limb length and range of movement for athletes with physical impairment;
2. assessment of static and dynamic visual acuity, visual field, motion detection, contrast sensitivity, and colour vision in athletes with visual impairment; or
3. testing of sport intelligence (generic name for component of intellectual functioning or cognition that relate to performance, such as response process, manner and content; executive functioning; and attention/concentration) for athletes with intellectual impairment.
2. Novel activities
These are new activities to the athlete which reflect the impairment related testing of the athlete and are unlikely to have been practiced by the athlete in the usual course of training for their sport. For example:
1. foot tapping tasks, hand rubbing, isolated finger flexion/extension, static balance exercises in athletes with physical impairment;
2. general orientation and object-discrimination tasks in athletes with visual impairment; or
3. memory, visualization reaction time, spatial orientation tasks in athletes with intellectual impairment.
3. Practised activities
These are activities which incorporate elements of strength, range of movement, co-ordination, intellectual functioning and/or any other sport-specific demands which are highly likely to have been practiced by the athlete in the course of training for their sport. For example:
1. assessment of Wheelchair Rugby players would include dynamic warm-up routines, ball catch and throw drills, wheelchair maneuverability and exercises;
2. assessment of Goalball players would include audio-spatial orientation;
3. assessment of intellectual impaired Table Tennis players would include items such as service return, return to target skills, player positioning with respect to the table.
4. Training history and other personal and environmental factors affecting how well the athlete will do the activity
This will include questions about frequency and duration of training, periodization of training, coaching standard (e.g., coach qualifications), use of sports medicine / sports science services. Other factors such as athlete age and gender may also be relevant.
These areas of assessment are usually reported in most classification assessment sheets. However the relative importance of each of these areas of assessment varies according to the impairment type/s being assessed and the needs and demands of the sport.
