Swimming
Paralympic swimming or swimming for disabled is an adaptation of the sport of swimming for athletes with disabilities.
Swimming is represented at the Paralympic Games. It is open to people with various types of physical impairments, including spinal cord injuries (paraplegic and quadriplegics), amputees, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, orthopaedic injuries, arthritis, muscular dystrophy and other disability groups to compete together.
The classification system was originally based on medical criteria, but has since moved to one largely based on functional disability to make para-swimming more competitive.
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1. Swimming for persons with Physical Impairments
2. Classifications in Swimming
3. The Classification System
4. Swimming Classes
5. Physical Impairment Sports Classes (S1-S10)
6. Rules for Paralympic Swimming
7. History of Adaptive Swimming
1. Swimming for Persons with Physical Impairments
Paralympic swimming is an adaptation of the sport of swimming for athletes with disabilities. Paralympic swimming is contested not only at the Summer Paralympic Games, but at disabled sports competitions throughout the world. Swimming was one of the first organised sports for people with disabilities, and was contested at the first Summer Paralympics in 1960. Both the rules for the sport and approval of classifications were the responsibility of the Fédération International de Natation Amateur (FINA) until 1992, when the International Paralympic Committee took over the governance of classification.
As of 2012, people with visual, physical and intellectual disabilities are eligible to compete in the sport. The classification system was originally based on medical criteria, but has since moved to one largely based on functional disability to make para-swimming more competitive. The sport is currently moving towards an evidence-based classification system.
The sport is governed by the International Paralympic Committee, hence the name of “Paralympic” swimming.
Rules for the sport are adapted from those set forth by the International Swimming Federation (FINA). The majority of rules for Paralympic swimming are the same as those for able-bodied competitions. Significant differences include the starting position. Competitors may start a race by standing on a platform and diving into the pool, as in able-bodied swimming, or by sitting on the platform and diving in, or they may start the race in the water.
To ensure competition is fair and equal, all Paralympic sports have a system in place which ensures that winning is determined by skill, fitness, power, endurance, tactical ability and mental focus, the same factors that account for success in sport for able bodied athletes.
This process is called classification and its purpose is to minimise the impact of impairment on the activity (sport discipline). Having an impairment thus is not sufficient. The impact of that impairment on the sport must be proved. In IPC Swimming, athletes are grouped by the degree of activity limitation resulting from an impairment. These groups are called ‘sport classes’. The process of classification determines which athletes are eligible to compete in IPC Swimming and how athletes are grouped together for competition.
Classification is sport-specific because an impairment affects the ability to perform in different sports to a different extent. As a consequence, an athlete may meet the criteria in one sport, but may not meet the criteria in another sport.
IPC Swimming caters for three impairment groups – physical, visual and intellectual.
Physical disabilities of Paralympic swimmers include:
– single or multiple limb loss (through birth defects and/or amputation)
– cerebral palsy, spinal cord injuries (leading to paralysis or disability in limb coordination)
– dwarfism, and disabilities which impair the use of joints.
An athlete’s classification may change for different swimming strokes, because the nature of their impairment may affect their ability to perform a particular stroke.
Swimmers are classified according to the type and extent of their disability. The classification system allows swimmers to compete against others with a similar level of function. The most severely affected are in class S1: these swimmers are normally use wheelchairs outside of the pool. In the case of the breaststroke, for example, the hand and the hip play a crucial role. Because of this, a swimmer may compete in one class for one stroke and a different class for another. It also means that swimmers with cerebral palsy, spinal cord injuries and limb deficiencies may compete against each other.
How it Works
During the classification process, classifiers evaluate factors including whether a swimmer’s physical limitations require him or her to start in the water, and how the swimmer enters the water in competition. A two-person panel that includes at least one person with a medical background handles classification at international competitions. Classifiers are required to be familiar with the type of disability they are classifying, whether physical, visual or intellectual. Classification by national sports bodies mirrors the international classification process, conducted by nationally-recognised IPC classifiers.
Swimmers are required to disclose any medications they regularly use, and provide detailed records of their medical history if a classifier deems them relevant. They are allowed to have someone familiar with their swimming limitations present during the process. The process includes a physical assessment, observation assessment, and a functional assessment that may include performance in the pool. Swimmers with visual impairment do not require the functional and observational components of assessment. If a swimmer intentionally misrepresents his or her disability, he or she is barred from the classification process for a minimum of two years, and is unable to compete.
If swimmers do not agree with their classifications, they can appeal through the IPC Board of Appeal on Classification, which is the body recognised by IPC Swimming. Formal processes exist for how to do this in both non-competition and competition periods.
The sport class names in swimming consist of a prefix “S” or “SB” and a number. The prefixes stand for the strokes and the number indicates the sport classes.
The prefixes stand for:
S: Freestyle, butterfly and backstroke events
SB: Breaststroke
SM: Individual medley. The prefix “SM” is given to athletes competing in individual medley events. It is not a sports class, but an entry index and calculated as (3xS + SB)/4; for classes S1-4 who have a 3-discipline medley, the formula is (2S + SB)/3).
5. Physical Impairment Sport Classes S1-S10
There are ten different sport classes for athletes with physical impairment, numbered 1-10. A lower number indicates a more severe activity limitation than a higher number. Athletes with different impairments compete against each other, because sport classes are allocated based on the impact the impairment has on swimming, rather than on the impairment itself.
To evaluate the impact of impairments on swimming, classifiers assess all functional body structures using a point system and ask the athlete to complete a water assessment. The total number of points then determines the athlete’s S and SB sport classes. Due to the different demands of S and SB events, swimmers are often allocated different S and SB sport classes. The SM sport class is calculated from the S and SB sport class.
The following are general examples of impairments and resulting functional abilities described in each sport class profiles. The below combinations of S and SB sport classes are the most common combinations, but it is possible that that athlete has another combination of sport classes, for example S7 and SB 7.
CLASS
CONDITIONS
S1 SB1
Race Style: 50m, 100m, and 200m Freestyle, 50m Backstroke, 50m Butterfly, 50m Breaststroke, and 150m Individual Medley
Swimmers in this sport class have a significant loss of muscle power or control in legs, arms and hands.
Some athletes also have limited trunk control, for example: tetraplegia.
The swimmers in this classification as having: very severe coordination problems in four limbs or [having] no use of their legs, trunk, hands and minimal use of their shoulders only.
These swimmers usually only swim on their back.
Swimmers in this class would usually be wheelchair bound and may be dependent on others for their everyday needs.
S2 SB1
Race Style: 50m, 100m, and 200m Freestyle, 50m Backstroke, 50m Butterfly, 50m Breaststroke, and 150m Individual Medley
Swimmers in this sport class mainly rely on their arms for swimming.
Their hand, trunk and leg function is limited due to tretraplegia or co-ordination problems.
The swimmers in this classification are described as being “able to use their arms with no use of their hands, legs or trunk, or [having] severe coordination problems in four limbs.
Similar disabilities to Class 1 however these athletes would have more propulsion by use of their arms or legs.
S3 SB2
Race Style: 50m, 100m, and 200m Freestyle, 50m Backstroke, 50m Butterfly, 50m Breaststroke, and 150m Individual Medley
This sport class includes athletes with amputations of both arms and legs.
Swimmers with reasonable arm strokes but no use of their legs or trunk and swimmers with severe co-ordination problems in all limbs are also included in this sport class.
The swimmers in this classification are described as having: reasonable arm strokes but no use of their legs or trunk; … severe coordination problems in all limbs … [or] severe limb loss in four limbs.
Swimmers in this class again have increased ability when compared to those in Class S2.
S4 SB3
Race Style: 50m, 100m, and 200m Freestyle, 50m Backstroke, 50m Butterfly, 50m Breaststroke, and 150m Individual Medley
Swimmers who can use their arms and have fair function in their hands, but who cannot use their trunk or legs would swim in this sport class. Athletes with amputations of three limbs could also swim in this sport class.
The swimmers in this classification are described as having:
Use of their arms and have minimal weakness in their hands but have no use of their trunk or legs;
Swimmers with coordination problems affecting all limbs but predominantly in the legs;
Swimmers with limb loss to 3 limbs.
Increasing ability compared to Class S3
S5 SB4
Race Style: 50m, 100m, and 200m Freestyle, 50m Backstroke, 50m Butterfly, 100m Breaststroke, and 200m Individual Medley
Swimmers with short stature and an additional impairment, with loss of control over one side of their body (hemiplegia) or with paraplegia compete in this sport class.
The swimmers in this classification are described as having: full use of their arms and hands but no trunk or leg muscles;
Swimmers with coordination problems.
S6 SB5
Race Style: 50m, 100m, 200m, and 400m Freestyle, 100m Backstroke, 50m Butterfly, 100m Breaststroke, and 200m Individual Medley
This sport class includes swimmers with short stature or amputations of both arms, or moderate co-ordination problems on one side of their body, for example.
The swimmers in this classification are described as having: full use of their arms and hands, some trunk control but no useful leg muscles; Swimmers with coordination problems (usually these athletes walk); Swimmers with major limb loss of 2 limbs;
Little People / Dwarfs (O 130cm females & O 137cm males).
S7 SB6
Race Style: 50m, 100m, and 400m Freestyle, 100m Backstroke, 50m Butterfly, 100m Breaststroke, and 200m Individual Medley
This sport class is designated to athletes with one leg and one arm amputation on opposite sides, or a paralysis of one arm and one leg on the same side. Moreover, swimmers with full control over arms and trunk and some leg function can compete in this class.
The swimmers in this classification are described as having: full use of their arms and trunk with some leg function;
Coordination or weakness problems on the same side of the body; Limb loss of 2 limbs.
S8 SB7
Race Style: 50m, 100m, and 400m Freestyle, 100m Backstroke, 100m Butterfly, 100m Breaststroke, and 200m Individual Medley
Swimmers who have an amputation of one arm are eligible to compete in this sport class. Also, athletes with significant restrictions across hip, knee and ankle joints could compete in this sport class.
The swimmers in this classification are described as having: full use of their arms and trunk with some leg function;
Swimmers with coordination problems mainly in the lower limbs;
Both legs amputated just above or just below the knee;
Single above elbow amputation.
S9 SB8
Race Style: 50m, 100m, and 400m Freestyle, 100m Backstroke, 100m Butterfly, 100m Breaststroke, and 200m Individual Medley
Athletes in this sport class, for example, swim with joint restrictions in one leg or with double below-the-knee amputations.
The swimmers in this classification are described as having: severe weakness in one leg only; … very slight coordination problems; … [or] one limb loss. Unless there is an underlying medical condition usually all of these athletes will start out of the water.
Natalie Du Toit competed in this class.
S9S10 SB9 SB8
Race Style: 50m, 100m, and 400m Freestyle, 100m Backstroke, 100m Butterfly, 100m Breaststroke and 200m Individual Medley.
This class describes minimal physical impairments of eligible swimmers.
These include the loss of one hand or a movement restriction in one hip joint.
The swimmers in this classification are described as having: very minimal weakness affecting the legs; restriction of hip joint movement; both feet deformed; one leg amputated below the knee or missing one hand.
This is the class with the most physical ability.
The general rules for Paralympic Swimming are based on those intended for able-bodied competitors. The rules regarding strokes, turns and the length of time that swimmers may remain under water are similar to those for the Olympic Games.
Swimming comprises medal events in Freestyle, Backstroke, Butterfly and Breaststroke across distances that range from 50m to 400m.
Races take place in a standard 50m pool, with swimmers starting in a variety of different ways:
– a standing start, using a dive start
– sitting on the starting platform,
– in the water.
The start used is most usually dependant on the degree of functionality the athlete has.
Swimming was one of the eight sports contested in the first Paralympics, at the 1960 Summer Paralympics in Rome.
The rules for the sport and for the approval of swimmers’ classifications were set by the Fédération International de Natation Amateur (FINA).
In 1992, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) formally became the governing body for disability swimming.
Four different sporting bodies, the International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA), International Sports Federation of the Disabled (ISOD), International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Federation (ISMWSF) and the Cerebral Palsy International Sports and Recreation Association (CP-ISRA), assisted the IPC in governing swimming at the 1992 Summer Paralympics. The IPC Classification Code and IPC Swimming govern the classification process.
Classification of swimmers is performed by classifiers that are recognised by the IPC.
The earliest classification system for para-swimming was created during the 1940s. At this time, swimmers were classified based on their medical conditions. During the late 1960s and early 1970s, the classification system was set up as a series of “handicaps”. In an effort to clearly describe disabilities and promote fairness, the number of classifications ballooned. This made organizing competitive events difficult as there were too few people in each classification.