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Wheelchair Sports USA
Overview
Wheelchair sports in the USA emerged in the mid-1940s following World War
II. Many veterans injured in the war found sports to be a more interesting
and satisfying means of rehabilitation than physical therapy. The National
Wheelchair Athletic Association was founded in 1956. In 1994, the NWAA
changed its name to Wheelchair Sports USA.
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Eligibility
Persons with spinal cord injury, spina bifida,
poliomyelitis, and other lower limb impairments are eligible if the athlete
has at least 10% loss of lower limb function as assessed by a classifier
(usually a physical therapist) who conducts muscle function and range of
motion tests.
Classification
In a few sports, classification is based upon
the athlete’s disability profile, with athletes placed into a classification
based upon level of spinal cord injury. However, in most
sports, classification is based upon the functional abilities needed for
success in the respective sport.
Age/Gender Groups
Athletes compete in junior (18 & under) and
senior (19 & over) events for males and females. All eligible individuals
may compete regardless of ability or skill.
Sports
 | Summer sports - archery, athletics, basketball,
fencing, handcycling, pool, powerlifting, racquetball, shooting, swimming,
table tennis, tennis, water skiing, and wheelchair rugby. |
| Winter sports - ice sledge hockey (cross-country
and downhill skiing are available through DSUSA, and wheelchair dance
sport is available through the IPC). |
Major Competitions
The major international competitions for WSUSA athletes
are the quadrennial summer and winter Paralympic Games. Other opportunities include the world championships and
other international events sanctioned by the International Paralympic
Committee, the multi-sport Stoke Mandeville Games conducted by the
International Stoke Mandeville Wheelchair Sports Federation (ISMWSF), and
the Para Pan Am Games. In addition, WSUSA conducts national, regional, and
local competitions for junior and senior athletes in many sports. Some WSUSA
events are conducted in collaboration with the Paralyzed Veterans of America
(PVA).
Link
Page prepared by Annette Jennings and revised by Gail
Dummer |
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