History and Structure of Disability in Sport

Structure and Organization of Disability in Sport

• International Paralympic Committee (IPC) established in 1948, first national competition in Stoke Mandeville, England, and international competition in 1952.
• IPC organizes, supervises, and coordinates Paralympic games and other multi-disability competitions.
• IPC structure helps facilitate the work of primary organizations.
• International organizations include international sport federations and international games organizing committees.
• National sports organizations also play a role.

International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Goal

• Aims for successful Paralympic games, growth, and strength within the movement.
• Promotes Paralympic games without discrimination or political influence.
• Ensures fairness and contribution of a drug-free environment.
• Develops opportunities for women athletes and those with severe disabilities.

History of Disability Sports

• History of disability sports dates back to 1948 with first national competitions in Stoke Mandeville, England, followed by international competitions in 1952.
• Various types of sports are included, like archery, athletics, basketball, boccia, cycling, fencing, shooting, and volleyball.

Classification of Athletes

• Three steps for classification: eligible impairment, minimum criteria, and sport class.
• Classification criteria include impaired muscle power, passive range of motion, limb deficiency, leg length discrepancy, and short stature.

Coaching Athletes with Disabilities

• Coaching principles include knowledge of the disability, setting realistic goals, and developing skill progressions.
• Coaches should assist athletes, but not be overbearing.
• Allowing athletes to experience risk, success, and failure is crucial.
• Avoid overprotecting athletes.
• Use of specialized equipment.

Types of Adaptive Equipment

• Specialized equipment includes arm ergometers, wheelchair ergometers, wheelchair rollers, adapted treadmills, and multipurpose weight machines.
• Types of adaptive equipment include wheelchairs for racing, basketball, rugby, tennis, monoskis, outrigger skis, and sit-skis.
• Prosthetic devices are also important.

Rules and Regulations

• Rules and regulations are determined by the governing bodies of the sport.
• The International Classification of Function, Disability and Health (ICF) is established by the World Health Organization to document and categorize the function of individuals.
• This is broken down into three categories.

Environmental Technologies

• Facility creation principles for universal design, including equitable use, flexibility in use, simple intuitive use, perceptible information, tolerance for error, and low physical effort.
• Size and space for approach and use are also key.
• Key equipment categories are prosthetic limbs, wheelchairs, canes, and memory aids.

Medical Conditions

• Congenital conditions include conditions like blindness, deafness, dwarfism, missing limbs, Down syndrome, and cerebral palsy.
• Acquired conditions include post-birth conditions such as visual impairments, strokes, missing limbs, and spinal cord injuries.

Adaptations for Athletes with Disabilities

• Space adaptation
• Lighting adaptation
• Task adaptation
• Equipment adaptation
• Consideration of individual needs and characteristics.
• Specific types of sports may be suitable or unsuitable based on the type of disability.

Explore the formation and development of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) since its inception in 1948. Learn about the organization’s structure, goals, and the history behind disability sports. This quiz covers the essential aspects of the IPC and its impact on athletes with disabilities.