IPCH CLASSIFICATION MANUAL. All rules, policies and procedures for athlete classification

Transcription

1 IPCH CLASSIFICATION MANUAL All rules, policies and procedures for athlete classification IPCH Classification Committee

2 INTRODUCTION In this Classification Manual you will find all rules, policies and procedures for athlete classification, including IPC rules and guidelines which IPCH do follow, as stated by the Sport Assembly. In paragraph 3 Sport specific classification system, the actual revision of PCH classification system is explained. In paragraph 3.6 you will find a summary of the actual revisions. Aims of the revision (following IPC rules and regulations): 1. Focus: focus on impairment based classification instead of performance based classification. 2. Formulation: formulate a new, modern, IPC compliant eligibility rule. 3. Replacement: replacing the disability-list with IPC eligible impairment types. 4. Uniformity: Create uniformity in the classification of athletes with the same impairment type. 5. Transparency: making PCH classification more transparent: sportclass is the sum of Arm impairment profile and Trunk impairment profile. 6. Restoration: restoring the sportclass as an impairment class instead of an equipment class. The IPCH Classification system is an eclectic system: it comprises approved classification details from other wheelchair sports which are appropriate and were found useful for our sport. The concept of Volume of Action of a PCH player comes from Wheelchair basketball were it is used successfully since 1984 (Official Player Classification Manual, 2014 IWBF). The TIC (Trunk Impairment Classification), which forms an integral part of the revised IPCH classification formula, is an evident based (part of) classification which do find its origin in Wheelchair rugby (IWRF Classification Manual, 2015). This will be effective from July 18,

3 TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction: objectives revision 1. Mission and philosophy 2. Classification and the classification process 2.1 Phases of the Classification Process: Step 1: written medical information before the competition Step 2: Control before the competition at the event Step 3: In-competition observation at the event 3. The sport specific classification system 3.1 IPC model for development of a classification system. 3.2 Eligible Impairment Types PCH Players eligibility/eligibility rule IPC Eligible Impairment Types PCH Minimal disabilities versus Impairment Types Classification Formula PCH 3.3 Measuring Tests PCH Test: Impaired Muscle Power Test: Impaired Passive Range of Motion and Short Stature Test: Limb Deficiency/Anatomical Malformation Test: Hypertonia, Ataxia and Athetose Trunk Impairment Tests (TIC) 3.4 Activities that determine proficiency in PCH 3.5 Assessment of the impact of the impairment on the activities in PCH Test 1: Hitting Power Test 2: Ball/stick control Test 3: Reach Defining entry sport class PCH 3.6 Summary revised sport specific classification system 4. Classification Protest 5. Rights and duties of athletes 6. Classifier Personal and Training 7. Organisation of a classification session Appendixes: - Medical Form - Classification Consent Form - Classification Protest Form - IPCH Classification Form - Volume of Action Drawing - PCH Classification Proces Flowchart - TIC Tests 2

4 1. MISSION AND PHILOSOPHY 1.1. The IWAS Committee of Powerchair Hockey (IPCH) coordinates Powerchair Hockey movement worldwide. This sport is addressed to people with severe physical disabilities as an attractive, competitive, fair and well-organised team sport, including sport on elite level. It is a mixed sport for men and women without age limits Classification is necessary to establish eligibility to compete in this sport and to group together in a transparent, regular and fair way those athletes who have physical impairments that are approximately equal in the loss of movement potential, particularly in playing Powerchair Hockey, ensuring that teams can compete in an equal and fair way The classification procedure is aimed to ensure a fair and equal competition where the outcomes of it are as much as possible related to trainings and personal abilities and talents rather than to the impact of impairments The classification system is, as far as possible, based on the motoric abilities required for Powerchair Hockey and is applicable to all athletes with physical impairments as defined by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) / International Wheelchair and Amputee Sport Federation (IWAS) Classification is an on-going process whereby all athletes are under regular observation by classifiers to ensure consistency and fairness for all athletes The classification process in Powerchair Hockey is under the responsibility of the IPCH Classification Committee and the IPCH Classification Officer for recommending policies, guidelines and procedures with respect to the IPC/IWAS Classification Code Classification Panels/Classifiers are always acting according to the IPC/IWAS Code of Ethics. Classifiers have undersigned a Code of Conduct that apply not only for or during the competition, they can be appointed for but also further Classification has to be specific enough to achieve standardisation, but yet general enough in other areas to permit flexibility in team composition and ensuring, therefore, the attractiveness of the competitions The IPCH Classification Committee shall ensure that classification rules are independent of gender, nationality, race, religion, economic status or political opinions. 3

5 2. CLASSIFICATION AND THE CLASSIFICATION PROCESS The vision of the Paralympic Movement is to enable Para-Athletes to achieve sporting excellence and inspire and excite the world. The unique systems of Classification used in Parasports (so also in PCH) perform two critical functions to support the realisation of this vision: a) define who is eligible to compete in Para-sport and consequently has the opportunity to reach the goal of becoming a Paralympic or World class Athlete; b) group Athletes into Sport Classes which aim to ensure that the impact of Impairment is minimised and sporting excellence determines which Athlete or team is ultimately victorious. It is important to note that the competitive structure provided by Classification systems is not only important for elite sport but also is essential for promoting grassroots participation in Para-sports by people with an Impairment. Classification (athlete evaluation) is the process by which an Athlete is allocated a Sport Class and a Sport Class Status. The concept of sport classes aims to classify athletes according to the extent of activity limitation resulting from the impairment. In other words, place athletes into classes according to how much their impairment affects core determinants of sport proficiency or how much their impairment impacts on performance. 2.1 Phases of the Classification Process: The classification process consists in three steps: Step 1: Written medical information before the competition a. At the event, athletes (i.e. with a not-confirmed status) shall provide an IPCH Medical Form with the medical information of the diagnosed impairment and health condition/prognosis to the IPCH Classification Panel. b. This medical information shall be no more than one year old, correctly filled in, written in English and signed by a licensed medical doctor and by the athlete. c. In case the athlete is under 18 years, the IPCH Medical Form also needs to be signed by the parents or a legal representative. d. The IPCH Medical Form is downloadable from the IPCH website under Documents and Rules/ Classification. The Appendix will show this Medical Form Step 2: Control before the competition at the event a. The athlete has to be a member of a National Federation for PowerChair Hockey. b. He has to present himself for Classification Evaluation in good standing (i.e. no fever, no high blood pressure etc), c. Have to consent the evaluation by expressing the will to be classified. By confirming the agreement the athlete agrees to provide full effort and co-operation throughout the classification process. - The athlete shall provide a signed IPCH Classification Consent Form at the event to the IPCH Classification Panel. 4

6 - In case the athlete is under 18 years, the classification consent form also needs to be signed by the parents or a legal representative. - The IPCH Classification Consent Form is downloadable from the IPCH website under Documents and Rules/ Classification The Appendix will show this Consent Form. - d. The players eligibility and impairment testing, will be evaluated and tested according the valid IPCH (1) Physical Assessment part of the classification system followed by (2) a sport specific testing (Technical Assessment) in which the impact of the impairment on the sport specific activities will be tested. e. The Physical and Technical Assessment will be carried out by an IPCH Classification Panel before the start of the competition and will result in an entry sport class. In case of doubt between two classes, the player will get the higher class as entry sports class. f. Sport Class Status. Indicates whether an Athlete will be required to undertake Athlete Evaluation in the future or not and if the Athlete s Sport Class may be subject to Protest in accordance with the International Standard for Protest and Appeals. The Sport Class Status designated to an Athlete by a Classification Panel will be one of the following: - Confirmed (C) - Review (R) - Review with a Fixed Review Date (FRD) g. An Athlete will be designated with Sport Class Status Confirmed (C) if the Classification Panel believes that the Athlete s Eligible Impairment will remain stable. An Athlete with Sport Class Status Confirmed (C) is not required to undergo any further Athlete Evaluation. A Chief Classifier may make a Protest for and on behalf of an international Sport Federation at a Competition if it is in the interest of fairness to Athletes to do so. 1 h. A Classification Panel which consists of less than 3 Classifier may only designate a Sport Class with Sport Class Status Review (R) and therefore has to be confirmed with a further Official Athlethe evaluation. i. An Athlete will be designated Sport Class Status Review (R) if the Classification Panel believes that further Athlete Evaluation will be required before an Athlete can be allocated Sport Class Status Confirmed (C). This may be for a number of reasons, including but not limited to situations where the Athlete: has only recently entered Competition in PCH; has a fluctuating and/or progressive Impairment/Impairments that is/are permanent but not stable. In PCH we are often dealing with athletes with a progressive health condition (neuro-muscular diseases): the class status of these athletes should always be (R). is a minor. j. An Athlete with Sport Class Status Review (R) must complete Athlete Evaluation prior to competing at any International Competition unless the International Sport Federation specifies otherwise. k. A Classification Panel may designate an Athlete s Sport Class with Sport Class Review with a Fixed Review Date (FRD). An Athlete with Sport Class Status Review (FRD) is 1 Rule 7.4 IPC International Standards for Protests and Appeals, July

7 required to complete Athlete Evaluation at the first opportunity after the relevant fixed date. l. To enter in an official international competition has always to undertake a complete Athlete Evaluation. All the athlethes entering for the fist time in a IPCH competition will be designated Sport Class Status New (N). An Athlete with Sport Class Status New (N) must complete Athlete Evaluation prior to competing at any International Competition, unless the International Sport Federation specifies otherwise. m. If the International Sport Federation changes the criteria or methodology used to allocate Sport Classes, it may re-designate Athletes with Sport Class Status Confirmed (C) and Athletes with Sport Class Status with Fixed Review Date (FRD) as being Sport Class Status Review (R). The athlete shall receive a New (N), Review (R ) or Confirmed (C ) Sport Class Status or will be judged Not Eligible (NE). n. Only athletes who are classified Eligible can enter the competition. o. A player shall come to the IPCH Classification Panel, accompanied by a maximum of 2 Team Assistants (Team Manager, Coach or other Team Assistant) with sport equipment like in a match: - in his/her competition wheelchair and with stick. - in case the player do use a T-stick, this T-stick shall be attached to the wheelchair. - with strap or other medical devices if the player uses such during a match. - Bringing the sportswear that will be used during the competition. p. A player must perform the sport specific tests the same way as he/she would do during a match, i.e.: - a player with a hand-held-stick must perform the tests with the stick in the playing hand. (A player who comes with only a T-stick, can be asked to fulfill the tests with a hand-stick if the classification panel finds that appropriate). - with strap or other medical devices if the player is using such during a match. - using the same medication as during the competition. q. The Team Assistant of the player is only allowed to help the player or answer questions if requested by a Classifier. r. All Team Managers will get the written results of the classification of all tested athletes of all participating teams, after the whole second step of the classification procedure is finalized, which is after all players of all teams have passed the classification testing (Physical and Technical Assessment). The Player him/herself will be informed as well directly after the Technical Assessment about his/her entry sport class. s. In case of non agreement with a classification decision, a protest can be submitted by a representative of the National Organization for PowerChair Hockey (f.e. Team Managers) or by the International Federation. See art Step 3: In-competition observation at the event 6

8 a. If an athlete is required to undertake Observation in Competition Assessment, the international organisation must specify what is observed and why, how this is to take place and by whom (IPC code 2015, International Standards for Athlete Evaluation rule 6.5). The Observational Assessment in general does confirm the entry sportsclass as given after the Physical and Technical Assessment but is in itself not decisive for the allocation of the final sportclass b. The player can be asked for a second Physical Assessment after the Observational Assessment in case the observations of the classification panel are not in accordance with the results of the Physical Assessment and Technical Assessment. c. In case a player is classified as Not Eligible as result of this second Physical Assessment, the IPCH Chief Classifier shall inform the Team Manager and the player concerned, verbally and in written, at least half an hour before the next match of the player concerned. d. The player concerned, found not being eligible, will not be allowed to continue in the ongoing competition and will not be allowed to play in further competition unless he can prove his impairments are worsened or changed. e. All Team Managers will receive the classification results of all players of the event, after the competition concerned, by to the national member organisations of IWAS/IPCH, with cc to the Team managers. f. All results of approved classification sessions will be sent to the IPCH Classification Officer and added to the IPCH Master List of PCH authorized athletes. 7

9 3. THE SPORT SPECIFIC CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM The starting points/principles of the Sport Specific classification system are: a. Realising sports on elite level with the best players, b. Going for attractive sports, c. As less classes as possible, d. A system according to the IPC Classification Code (see below), e. The PCH abilities of players in the different classes shall be significantly different, f. There shall be a good relationship between the sport specific tests during the classification process and the skills and abilities of the different classes in competition, g. To give coaches as much possibilities as possible, h. To develop a Classification System which can also be used on a national level 3.1 IPC model for development of a classification system. 2 Based on the IPC model for developing a classification system, the IPCH has developed a classification system which is/aims to be IPC code compliant. This model, described below, has been used for the revision of our PCH classification system. Step 1: Define eligible impairment types and severity: see 3.2. Step 2A: Use objective and reliable tests to measure all the impairment types: see 3.3. Step 2B: Identify the activities that determine proficiency in that specific sport/in PCH: see 3.4. Step 3: Assess the impact of the impairment on these sport specific activities: see 3.5. Step 4: Define the entry sport class/final sport class. 3.2 Eligible Impairment Types PCH Players Eligibility/Eligibility rule To be eligible to compete in Powerchair Hockey, an athlete must have a permanent impairment caused by a verifiable and permanent health condition leading to activity limitation that impacts sports performance in Powerchair Hockey. Athletes with conditions other than neurological impairments may be eligible if the impairment type and severity results in activity limitation that impacts sport performance in PCH in a similar way to that of an athlete with muscular dystrophy/myopathy. The IPC Code requires that an Athlete with an Eligible Impairment must also comply with the Minimum Impairment Criteria set by the International Sport Federation for the particular sport/pch. 2 IPCH Classification Committee used as sources and guidelines the following articles: Tweedy, S. M., e.o, 2014, Paralympic classification: Conceptual Basis, Current Methods, and Research Update. Altmann, V., 2015, Impact of trunk impairment on activity limitation with the focus on wheelchair rugby. 8

10 These Minimum Impairment Criteria must be described in a manner that the relevant Eligible Impairment has an impact upon sport performance. In the flowchart below, the minimum impairment criteria for PCH are integrated. PCH Classification will follow the IPC regulations on classification as put in the IPC classification code 2015 and will be done according to the classification flowchart below. Three parts are needed in the Athlete Evaluation/Classification: 1. Assessment of the eligibility of the athlete for PCH 2. Assessment of the minimum impairment criteria for PCH 3. Assessment of the impact of the impairment on the sport specific activities in PCH: resulting in the allocation of a PCH sport class. 9

11 IPC eligible Impairment types PCH IPCH offers sport opportunities for athletes having a primary impairment that belongs to one of the following eligible impairment types as proposed in the IPC Classification Code: 1. Impaired muscle power. 2. Impaired passive range of motion. 3. Limb deficiency/ anatomical malformation. 4. Short stature. 10

12 5. Hypertonia, Ataxia and Athetose. Ad 1: Impaired muscle power: Athletes with impaired muscle power have a Health Condition that either reduces or eliminates their ability to voluntarily contract their muscles in order to move or to generate force. Examples include: spinal cord injury (complete or incomplete, tetra-or paraplegia), muscular dystrophy, post-polio syndrome and spina bifida. Ad 2: Impaired passive range of motion. Athletes with impaired range of movement have a restriction or a lack of passive movement in one or more joints. Examples include: arthrogryposis and contracture resulting from chronic joint immobilisation or trauma affecting a joint. Note that hypermobility of joints, joint instability (for example shoulder dislocation), and acute conditions of reduced range of motion (for example arthritis types of impairments) typically will be excluded as eligible impairment(s). EDS, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and also Fibromyalgia are not eligible impairments according to the IPC and for that reason ineligible for PCH. Ad 3: Limb deficiency/anatomical malformation: Athletes with limb deficiency have total or partial absence of bones or joints as a consequence of trauma (for example traumatic amputation), illness (for example amputation due to bone cancer) or congenital limb deficiency (for example dysmelia). Ad 4: Short stature: Athletes with short stature have a reduced length in the bones of the of the lower/upper limbs and/or trunk. Examples include: achondroplasia, growth hormone dysfunction, and osteogenesis imperfecta. Ad 5: Hypertonia/Ataxia/Athetose: Athletes with hypertonia have an increase in muscle tension and a reduced ability of a muscle to stretch caused by damage to the central nervous system. Examples include: cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury and stroke. Athletes with ataxia have uncoordinated movements caused by damage to the central nervous system. Examples include: cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, stroke and multiple sclerosis. Athletes with athetosis have continual slow involuntary movements. Examples include cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury and stroke. When the injury occurs in children under the age of 2, the term cerebral palsy is often used for both hypertonia, ataxia and athetose, but it can also be due to brain injury (stroke, trauma, infection) or multiple sclerosis. The above eligible impairment types for PCH are biomechanical from origin. Impairments, which have their origin in (exercise) physiology, are (still) not found classifiable for wheelchairsport in general and for that reason also not for PCH. Examples of physiological impairments: pulmonal diseases and/or heart diseases. Pain syndromes are not classifiable. Visual or Hearing Impairments, additional to the biomechanical impairment, cannot be classified and will not be classified according to IPC regulations Minimal disabilities versus Impairment types: 11

13 In the past the PCH classification worked with a list of minimal disabilities as eligible disabilities for PCH. This list is replaced by the IPC eligible impairment types. Below the 6 minimal disabilities and their replacement. 1. Spinal cord injury above T1 replaced by impaired muscle power. 2. Cerebral palsy replaced by hypertonia, ataxia, athetose. 3. Neuromuscular diseases replaced by impaired muscle power. 4. Amputations replaced by limb deficiency/anatomical malformation. 5. Osteogenesis imperfecta replaced by short stature. 6. Severe Kyphoscoliosis replaced by impaired muscle power Classification formula PCH Sport class = sum Arm profile + Trunk profile. (Arm-profile: is profile playing arm) - Arm-profile: MRC Grade 0/1 (or comparable motoric capabilities) = profile 1, MRC Grade 2 (or comparable motoric capabilities) = profile 2, MRC Grade 3 (or comparable motoric capabilities) = profile 3, MRC Grade 4/5 (or comparable motoric capabilities) = profile 4 - Trunk-profile: TIC(Trunk Impairment Classification) profile 0 (zero), profile 0.5 or profile 1 - Eligible players: A player with Arm-profile 1 and Trunk profile 0 or 0.5, is a class 1 player. A player with Arm profile 1 and Trunk profile 1, will be a class 2 player. A player with Arm-profile 2 and Trunk-profile 0 or 0.5, is a class 2 player. A player with Arm-profile 2 and Trunk-profile 1, will be a class 3 player. A player with Arm-profile 3 and Trunk-profile 0 or 0.5, is a class 3 player. A player with Arm-profile 3 and Trunk-profile 1, will be a class 4 player. A player with Arm-profile 4 and Trunk-profile 0 or 0.5 is a class 4 player. - Ineligible players: A player with Arm-profile 4 and Trunk-profile 1 (= 5). 12

14 3.3 Measurement Tests PCH IPC eligible Impairment types PCH and their measuring tests Impairment type; Test: Arm: Trunk: other Impaired muscle power MRC TIC tests Impaired passive range of motion PROM (goniometer/degrees) TIC tests Limb deficiency and anatomical malformations Short stature PROM (goniometer/degrees) TIC tests Hypertonia, Ataxia and Athetose Coordination test TIC tests MRC TIC tests describe level Test: Impaired muscle power Arm: MRC (Medical Research Counsel) test by MMT (Manual Muscle testing). Test the playing arm: not the drive arm/hand. Assessment of the strength of the muscle groups (see Classification Form in the Appendix) of this arm will be done after the athlete is asked to perform each separate movement 10 times. This has to be done to include the component of endurance, while the fatigue of muscles is an inclusive aspect of Muscular Dystrophy/neuromuscular disease and doing the manual muscle testing in this way will result in a more realistic strength score. Ø Grade 5: Muscle group has maximal strength: maintain end-point range against maximal resistance. Examiner cannot break the athletes hold position. Ø Grade 4: Muscle group can tolerate strong resistance without breaking the test position. The grade 4 muscle gives or yields to some extent at the end of its range with maximal resistance. When maximal resistance clearly results in a break, the muscle is assigned a grade 4. Ø Grade 3: The muscle or muscle group can complete a full range of motion against only the resistance of gravity. If a tested muscle can move through the full range against gravity but additional resistance, however mild, causes the motion to break, the muscle is assigned a grade of 3. For PCH we use the following refinement: 3 - = 5-10 repetitions 3 = 10 repetitions 3 + = 10 repetitions then minimal/mild resistance Ø Grade 2: the grade 2 muscle is one that can complete the full range of motion in a position that minimizes the force of gravity. This position often is described as the horizontal plane of motion. 2 - = gravity eliminated movement that is less than full range of motion. 2 + = against gravity, up to half of full range of motion. Ø Grade 1: Visually or by palpation, there is some contractile activity. There is, however, no movement of the body part as a result of this minimal contractile activity. Ø Grade 0: the grade 0 muscle is completely quiescent on palpation or visual inspection. Trunk: see TIC tests in the Appendix Tests: Impaired passive range of motion and Short stature 13

15 Arm: PROM: Passive Range of Motion involves placing a body part through its various directional motions, all without the activation of the athletes muscles, so that the movement is performed entirely by an external source. Measure the PROM in shoulder, elbow, wrist, fingers of the playing arm, in degrees, with a goniometer. Evaluation will proceed as follows: a. Take the Arm profiles of the Strength Impaired athletes as model for deciding on Arm profile of the Athlete with impairment in the PROM: is the PROM Impairment of the playing arm of the athlete comparable with an Arm profile 2 or 3 or even 4 of the athlete with strength limitations? b. Look at the impact of the PROM limitation when observing the athlete in the Technical Assessment tests to define the Arm profile. Trunk: The Trunk profile can be measured already in the Physical Assessment (with the TIC), but need to be checked as well again in the Technical Assessment to be able to define the entry sports class Test: Limb deficiency/anatomical malformation Arm: MRC Trunk: TIC Describe also the level of the amputation(s) or describe the anatomical malformation. As for the other impairments: a player cannot have the maximal Arm-profile (4) COMBINED with the maximal Trunk-profile (1). That will make him/her ineligible. Example: a player with (almost) no legs cannot, actively perform the forward flexion movement. The result of not being able to perform that forward flexion will be that the trunk will be scored as a 0.5 point trunk and not as a 1.0 trunk. In combination with a full powered arm (profile 4), this player is eligible. When both legs are longer than 1/3 upper leg length, this player is, normally, able to perform the forward flexion movement and rotation but lacks the lateral flexion of the trunk and will still get the trunk-profile 0.5. Together with a full powered arm (Arm profile 4) he is eligible. However, when the leg length of both legs is longer than 2/3, this player can, normally, also perform the lateral flexion and for that reason his trunk score will be 1.0. Together with his/her Arm-profile 4, this player do become ineligible Test: Hypertonia, Ataxia and Athetose Arm: Coordination tests of shoulder (elevation/retro-flexion), elbow (flexion/extension, supination/pronation), wrist (flexion/extension) and fingers (flexion/extension) of the playing arm. Instruct the athlete to do quick alternating movements to detect type, location and severity of the coordination impairment. As for the PROM there is no direct link between severity of coordination impairment and Arm profile. The ASAS (Australian Spasticity Assessment Scale) will be used to detect eventual catches in biceps and triceps, but still we cannot direct link the severity of spasticity in these muscles to a certain class. 14

16 Take, again, the Arm profile of the strength impaired athlete as model to define the Arm profile of the coordination impaired athlete. Besides the Physical Assessment, the Technical Assessment is (very) necessary in order to be able to define the entry sports class. Trunk: TIC. The function of the TIC test here is, as for the arm profile, to detect the type, location and severity of the coordination impairment. Do nót score the trunk with 0, 0.5 or 1.0, but first look at the impact of the trunk function on the execution of the activities in the technical assessment before giving an entry sport class Trunk Impairment Tests (TIC). The Trunk impairment tests from the scientific work from Altmann 3 (TIC: Trunk Impairment Classification), are very useful here: these tests are clearly described and can be executed by the players very easily, are non-demanding and can be done in very limited time. And important: we do need for PCH only 4 Trunk tests out of the TIC 10 tests battery. No muscle testing here, but simple executing some trunk movements to define the reaching capabilities of a player. See separate pages Trunk tests: test 1, 3, 4, and 5 in the Appendix. Ø Trunk test 1: sitting straight, unsupported Ø Trunk test 3: forward/rearward flexion. Ø Trunk test 4: rotation. Ø Trunk test 5: lateral flexion Trunk test 1: will differentiate between Trunk-profile 0 (zero) and Trunk-profile 0.5 Trunk tests 3, 4 and 5: when the athlete is not able to perform all three, he/she will become a Trunk-profile 0.5. When performing all three trunk tests, he will have the Trunk-profile 1.0 Note 1: Do not only look at the quantity of the movement (being able to perform the movement or not), but do also look at the quality of the movement. How is for example the forward flexion executed: is the athlete able to make the movement in a normal rhythm or does he struggle to perform/bringing the trunk back to the upright position after performing the forward flexion and/or is the movement time-consuming. In that case, we do still score the movement as failed also when the 45 degrees criterion is achieved. This is important while we are often dealing with generalized impairments of muscle power (muscular dystrophy) instead of localized impairments of muscle power (spinal cord injury) making the trunk movements (much) slower and not effective in real game situations. Note 2: If the athlete does have an Arm impairment, which is scored with MRC Grade 3, or lower (or comparable impairment) he can have/will have a difficulty holding the arms in the requested position of maximal elevation. With this lower arm position it becomes easier to fulfil the 45 degrees forward flexion. Take good notice of that in making the decision or the forward flexion criterion is fulfilled or not. 3 Altmann V, 2015, Impact of trunk impairment on activity limitation with the focus on Wheelchair rugby, Dissertation KU Leuven

17 3.4 Activities that determine proficiency in PCH Three core determinants do determine the proficiency in PCH: 1. Hitting Power 2. Ball/stick-control 3. Reach Ad 1: Hitting power: is the result of the player's ability to lift the stick and while doing that being able to make explosive movements with the stick. We can describe this as the vertical Volume of Action : we do look here at the way the stick is used in the vertical plane. Ø A player with the Arm impairment score/profile 1 or 2 ( MRC score 1 on average or 2 on average) will use the stick most of the time on the ground and has for that reason, limited or no 'vertical volume of action'. The 'hitting' will be often 'pushing', while he do not often lift the stick, does not have the capacity for explosive movements and for that reason the power of the hit (push) will be limited. Ø The player with the Arm impairment score/profile 3 (MRC score 3 for the arm on average), is able to lift the stick but the power is still limited because of the strength impairment. This player can 'hit' the ball (there is 'vertical volume of action' making that possible) but with less power as done with a normal, not strength impaired arm. Ø The player with the Arm impairment score/profile 4, has almost normal strength (MRC 4) or normal (MRC 5) in his playing arm. His hitting power is for that reason not limited. Ad 2: Ball/stick-control: do refer to the control of the hand operating the ball/stick combination. This control can be limited by strength, range of motion, limb deficiency or coordination, influencing the accuracy in ball-handling (forehand to backhand manoeuvres and reverse). Although ball/stick-control can be seen both in the horizontal plane as in the vertical plane, it is most obvious in the horizontal plane/on the ground. Ad 3: Reach: This third determinant of PCH performance is especially related to the trunk and can be described as the ' Horizontal Volume of Action' Definition: the limit to which a player can move his stick blade voluntarily in any horizontal direction (stick side, frontal side, opposite side and rear side) and with control return the stick blade to the stick side of the wheelchair. When a player do not have trunk movements, the result will be a limited Horizontal Volume of Action, a limited covered space around the Powerchair which will limit the reaching possibilities (see the drawing-page with horizontal and vertical Volume of Action to define the different sides of the Powerchair and reaching-circles). With the Arm profile 4, but without trunk movements, the player will be able to cover a certain space around the Powerchair, but limited to the smaller circles (see drawing). The forward flexion, rotation and lateral flexion of the trunk will increase the Horizontal Volume of Action and by that the reaching possibilities and proficiency in PCH. The player will now be able to also cover the outside circles around the Powerchair. 16

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19 3.5 Assessment of the impact of the impairment on the activities in PCH Technical Assessment The allocation of a Sport Class must be based on an evaluation of the extent with which the Impairment affects the specific tasks and activities fundamental to the sport PCH. This evaluation must take place in a controlled non-competitive environment, which allows the repeated observation of key tasks and activities. The Technical Assessment contains three tests. These three tests will assess the impact of the Impairment on the PCH sport-specific activities: 1. Hitting Power 2. Ball/stick-control 3. Reach a) Before observing the athlete in the technical assessment, do know, as Classifier, the results of the physical assessment from the tested athlete and decide on what you want to see, specific for that athlete, at every test. b) Athletes who have an arm-impairment measure, which fits the class 1 profile in the physical assessment, AND do only use a T-stick, do not need to do these tests. If these athletes with the Arm profile 1 do use however a handstick, they have to do the tests. c) Athletes who have an arm-impairment measure, which fits the class 2, 3 or 4 profile in the Physical Assessment, do need to do all three test in this Technical Assessment. d) In these tests we will use the term Volume of Action. The Volume of Action of a Powerchair Hockey player is described as the limit to which a player can move his stick blade voluntarily in any direction and with control return the stick blade to the stick-side of the wheelchair. e) The Horizontal Volume of Action includes all four horizontal directions: (1) stick-side, (2) front-side, (3) opposite-side, (4) rear-side and the smaller or larger reaching-circles into these sides: they will play a role in test 3 (Reach). f) The Vertical Volume of Action of a Powerchair-Hockey player describes the way the stick is used in (1) the vertical space: is the stick blade only used in the ground-plane, only used in (2) ground-plane and in the vertical space till seat height or can the stick blade also be used, without compensations/passive movements, in (3) the higher regions of the vertical space. See drawing Horizontal and Vertical Volume of Action. g) Look for the quality of the movement of arms and trunk and do not score the result (= quantity) of the test which is mainly (a) anthropometry, (b) passive movement (c) compensation, (d) skill and (e) equipment: those 5 should NOT be taken into account when classifying: classifiers observe HOW the movements are executed and not HOW WELL Test 1: Hitting Power. Hitting a moving ball as hard as possible from the stick side while driving the Powerchair. Same from the opposite side of the Powerchair. 18

20 Test-goal: Define the vertical volume of action. This test will assess the impact of the Arm/Hand Impairment on PCH sport specific activity 1: hitting. Goal is to define and check the Armprofile (test 2 will do that as well). Test-procedure/instruction: The athlete starts driving. The classifier stands at more or less 20 meter and rolls the ball towards the player. Assess both forehand hitting and backhand hitting and as many repetitions as needed. If doubting about the role of fatigue/the endurance aspect, repeat in fast pace 10 time hitting and look for difference in hitting power/explosivity at last trials. Test-instruction: Hit ball as hard as you can back to me, first your forehand, later your backhand. Ask the athlete to perform the task with use of rotation of the Powerchair and without it. Rotation of the Powerchair will help the athlete, by centrifugal force, to lift the stick higher enabling him to hit the ball with more force. Test-observation: Assess the impact of the Arm/Hand Impairment on the execution of the sport specific activity hitting : look for the vertical volume of action which is responsible for hittingpower/explosiveness. Be cautious for equipment-use : the rotation of the Powerchair will help the athlete to perform the task at a higher level, but equipment is not taken into account when classifying PCH players Classifiers only score the motoric capability to perform the task. Using the stick blade (1) in the ground-plane only, using the stick-blade (2) on ground-plane and low vertical volume (till seating height) or being able using the stick blade also often (3) in the higher regions of the vertical volume (without compensations) refers to the quality of the hitting-movement. When only used in ground-plane, the hits will be softer/not explosive. When the stick blade can be used however above ground-plane, the hits will be harder/more explosive. In ground-plane, hitting will be often pushing, while with more available muscle strength, the stick can be lifted higher and with force brought to the ball: the result will be that more speed is given to the ball and/or the movement can be executed faster. Ø Arm profile 1 (MRC 0/1): Most players will use the T-stick (and then they do not need to undergo the Technical Assessment), but some do still use however the handstick. When using the handstick you will observe Pushing instead of Hitting : no vertical Volume of Action. When the trunk has some function, the trunk movements in combination of the Powerchair-rotation can lift the stick blade above the ground: not the arm movements themselves. Ø Arm profile 2 (MRC 2): The vertical volume of action will be limited, on average, to the vertical space below seat height. Still more Pushing than Hitting will be observed. Sometimes the player is using the leverage technique to get the stick blade higher: by using a part of the leg or chair. This is compensation however and not executed by active movements, so not taken into account in our evaluation of the hitting power. 19

21 Ø Arm profile 3 (MRC 3): There is vertical volume of action, possible above seat height: so there is Hitting Power while the arm is lifted to execute the hitting, but this Hitting Power is stíll limited (due to MMT 3), making the executed movements not (real) explosive. The executed movements will be often done by the underarm and fewer by the entire arm initiated from the shoulder. Ø Arm profile 4 (MRC 4/5): Stick blade can be used in the entire vertical space and while the strength is not limited (MRC 4/5) the Hitting Power is not limited and can be/will be explosive. The movements will be often initiated from the shoulder moving the entire arm and not, like in profile 3, from the elbow Test 2: Ball/stick-control. Pushing the ball and performing a slalom with the ball around cones and around one cone. As many times as needed to have a clear idea about ball/stick-control. Test-goal: This test will assess the impact of the Arm/hand Impairment on PCH sport specific activity 2: ball/stick-control. Define the ability to control the ball with the stick-blade using (quick) forehand and backhand manoeuvres: goal is to define and check the Arm-profile (like in test 1). Test-procedure/instruction: 5 cones in a lane with 1.20 meter distance from each other. The athlete drives along the cones and slaloms the ball between the cones. Do the test also from standstill manoeuvring the ball around one cone. Test-instruction: Drive a slalom along the cones and perform a slalom with the ball between the cones: first slowly, than faster and faster. Do the same from standstill manoeuvring the ball around one cone. Test-observation: Assess the impact of the Arm/Hand Impairment on the execution of the sport specific activity ball/stick-control. Look for endo/exo-rotation problems/limitations shoulder. Evaluate the flexion in the elbow and the anteflexie/abduction of the arm. Look for pronation/supination problems/limitations elbow. Look for stick-handling problems/limitations. Look for strength- or coordination problems/limitations. Do differentiate between skill and impairment/motoric ability/activity limitation. Ø Ø Arm-profile 1 (MRC 0/1): transitions from forehand to backhand and reverse (needed to perform the slalom with the ball) will be executed with the arm hanging in the shoulder while there is no Vertical Volume of Action (player cannot, active, lift the hand with the stick). For that reason these transitions, while driving the slalom, will be executed slowly/are time-consuming. Arm profile 2 (MRC 2): active flexion of the elbow can be observed, lifting the hand with the stick: the combination of endo- and exo rotation in the shoulder with pro- and supinatie in the elbow, do give more possibilities for the ball/stick handling when the elbow is flexed and the hand not only hanging on the extended arm. Result will be 20

22 better control and somewhat faster transition between forehand and backhand compared with profile 1. Ø Arm-profile 3 (MRC 3): transitions from forehand to backhand and reverse, can be executed with lifting the upper arm/elbow to enable better control of the stick blade making quicker forehand/backhand movements possible when executing the slalom in a quicker pace with the Powerchair. Ø Arm-profile 4 (MRC 4/5): No problems observed in the execution of the forehand and backhand movements: they can be performed quickly with flexion in elbow and anteflexie/abduction of the arm: no restriction in shoulder-, elbow- and wristmovements. Be aware of the skill-factor: an athlete with MRC 4/5 on the playing arm and no other impairments is, theoretically, able to execute the slalom, but when he is untrained, he will maybe not show this ball/stick-control in the slalom because of lack of skills instead of lack of abilities. Classifiers do look however HOW the test is executed and not HOW WELL the test is executed! The results of Test 1 Hitting will be decisive in the case you doubt between the Arm profiles Test 3: Reach. Touching the basis and top of cones with the stick-blade, standing with the Powerchair in between three cones: one placed on the stick side (border between stick side and rear side), one placed on the frontal side (mid frontal side) and one placed on the opposite side (border between opposite side and rear side). See Appendix Horizontal and Vertical Volume of Action. Test-goal: This test will assess the impact of the Trunk Impairment on PCH sport specific activity 3: Reach. Define the ability to move the trunk in different planes of motion: forward/rearward, rotation left/right and lateral flexion left/right. Goal is to define and check the Trunk-profile. With this ability the Horizontal Volume of Action can be enlarged creating better reaching possibilities. Test-procedure/instruction: The athlete stand still sitting in his Powerchair. In front and at the sides of him cones are placed: one in front, one at the left side and one at the right side. The athlete is asked to touch the basis and top of the cones with the stick blade. Cones are placed at such a distance from the athlete that he has to lean maximal forward, lean and rotate maximal to the left side and lean and rotate maximal to the right side. We look for active movements, so leaning against chair parts is not allowed: they should be removed if possible to get a clear idea about the active reaching possibilities. Repeat as many times as needed to get a clear idea about the trunk movement possibilities/active reaching possibilities. Test-instruction: do touch the basis of the three cones leaning as far as possible forward and leaning and rotating as far as possible side wards. Repeat with touching the top of the cones. Test-observation: Assess the impact of the Trunk Impairment on the execution of the sport specific activity Reach. Look for active (not passive) forward flexion, rotation and lateral flexion of the trunk. Beware of use armrest of the Powerchair: trunk movements must be active movements without support 21

23 of the armrest. Classifiers do not classify passive movements/use of equipment. Look for the quality of the trunk movements: quickly executed versus slowly/time consuming. Trunk-profile 0/0.5: Horizontal Volume of Action : reaching dominant on stick-side and/or frontal side of the Powerchair. Limited in opposite side (limited to the inner circles and not getting the stick blade in the outer circles) while there is not a complete packet of forward flexion, rotation and lateral flexion. With Arm-profile 3 the opposite-side can be reached, so occasionally the player can show (mostly slow) actions on that opposite-side. With Arm-profile 4 the opposite side will be reached more often and with quicker movements than with Armprofile 3, but the reaching is still limited on that opposite-side (to the inner circles) because of absent complete packet forward flexion/rotation/lateral flexion of the trunk. Trunk-profile 1: Maximal Horizontal Volume of action : active reaching on both stick-side, frontal-side and outer circles of the opposite-side of the Powerchair, while the trunk movements are not limited: forward flexion, rotation and lateral flexion of the trunk are present. Even reaching on the rear side can be observed. Do remember that the combination of Trunk profile 1.0 and Arm profile 4 of the playing Arm makes this player ineligible (4 + 1 = 5) Defining entry sport class PCH. PCH classification formula: Sport-class = sum of Arm-profile + Trunk-profile The Physical Assessment gave us a (playing-) Arm-Impairment score (= Arm-profile) and a Trunk-Impairment score (= Trunk-profile). The Technical Assessment will also define the Armprofile and the Trunk-profile. Both Physical Assessment profiles and Technical Assessment profiles should be consistent with each other: the quality of the movements shown in the tests in the Technical Assessment should reflect the Arm-Impairment score and Trunk Impairment score from the Physical assessment. The entry sport class can be and will be defined after both Assessments on the Classification Form 4. Arm-impairment profiles: 1, 2, 3, or 4. Trunk-impairment profiles: 0, 0.5 or 1. Possible classification outcomes: - A player with Arm profile 1 and Trunk profile 0 or 0.5, is a class 1 player. - A player with Arm profile 1 and trunk profile 1, will be a class 2 player. - A player with Arm profile 2 and Trunk profile 0 or 0.5, is a class 2 player. - A player with Arm profile 2 and Trunk profile 1, will be a class 3 player. - A player with Arm profile 3 and Trunk profile 0 or 0.5, is a class 3 player. - A player with Arm profile 3 and Trunk profile 1, will be a class 4 player. - A player with Arm profile 4 and Trunk profile 0 or 0.5 is a class 4 player. - A player with Arm profile 4 and Trunk profile 1, will be an ineligible player. 4 See appendix 22

24 3.6. Summary revised classification system Measuring Impairment instead of measuring performance. The essential of classification is scoring of (1) the impairment and (2) the impact of the impairment on the sport specific activities. The allocation of a Sport Class must take place in a controlled non-competitive environment which allows for the repeated observation of key tasks and activities 5. In the previous PCH classification the focus was mainly on the performance: on the outcome itself. In the performance of the athlete Classifiers do however not only see (1) impairment/motoric abilities, but also: (2) anthropometry, (3) compensation, (4) passive movements, (5) skill and (6) equipment. Classifiers are not allowed however to take items 2-6 into classification. As said: the aim should be to only classify impairment and the impact of the impairment on the sport specific activities. By scoring performance instead of impairment athletes have been penalised in the past, by placing them into a higher sport class, for having developed great (powerchair) skills and using the powerchair optimally Using a new, modern, IPC compliant eligibility rule (see ) replacing the old one Eligible Impairment Types instead of the minimal disability list. - Impaired muscle power - Impaired passive range of motion - Limb deficiency/anatomical malformation - Short stature - Hypertonia, Ataxia and Athetose Uniformity in the classification of athletes with the same impairment type. The Playing Arm can have the MRC Grade score of 4/5 for ALL athletes with a muscle power impairment: so not only athletes with severe kyphoscoliosis, but also athletes with a neuromuscular disease, can have the MRC Arm score of 4/ Transparent classification: Sport Class is the sum of Arm Impairment profile (Ap) + Trunk Impairment profile (Tp). There are still 4 classes (1, 2, 3, and 4) as before the revision. Arm profiles: Ap 1: MRC Grade 0/1 or comparable impairment Ap 2: MRC Grade 2 or comparable impairment Ap 3: MRC Grade 3 or comparable impairment Ap 4: MRC Grade 4/5 or comparable impairment Trunk profiles: TIC (Trunk Impairment Classification) tests: 0/0.5/1.0 profiles Tp 0 (zero) is the trunk score given for the trunk without the ability to sit straight without support. Tp 0.5 is the trunk score for the trunk with the ability to sit straight unsupported, but with no or limited (one or two) plane movements. Tp 1.0 is the trunk score for the trunk with all three plane movements (forward flexion/extension, rotation to both sides and lateral flexion to both sides) Restoring the sport class as an impairment class instead of an equipment class. The PCH class do represents the motoric capacity of the player: the class is an impairment class with the resulting activity limitation and the class is not an equipment class : using a T-stick does not automatically mean that a player is a class 1. The motoric ability is decisive on the class profile and not the used equipment. That means also that a class 2, 3, or 4 player may use the T- 5 IPC Code International Standard for Athlete Evaluation rule

25 stick but, when doing that, do stay a class 2, 3 or 4 player. Also class 1 may use, if possible and safe, the hand stick and by doing that, do stay class 1. Conclusion: the player is free to choose his equipment, but that will not change his class. 4. CLASSIFICATION PROTESTS 4.1 According to the IPC code (which we do follow), a protest can only be made by the National Organization for PowerChair Hockey or by the International Federation. In case of non agreement with a classification decision, a protest can be submitted by the Team Manager (only when in good consultation with his National Body) of the player concerned. The Team Manager cannot protest a player from another team, but he/she or his/her National Body can ask the International Federation to handle the protest on a specific player. 4.2 The Team Manager (as the official representative of the national member organisation of the IWAS) can submit a protest, by using the official IPCH Classification Protest Form, written in English and signed by the Team Manager. IPCH Classification Protest Forms are downloadable from the IPCH Website under Documents&Rules/Classification. The Appendix will show this Protest Form. The Team Manager shall hand over the protest form, together with the payment of 100,00 Protest Fee, to the IPCH Chief Classifier at least 1 hour before the scheduled time of the Protest Classification Session. The Protest Fee will be returned in case the protest is accepted; the Protest Fee will be retained in case the protest is not accepted. 4.3 In case of protest, submitted as mentioned in 4.2 and 4.3, the player will be re-tested in the scheduled Protest Classification Session (before the start of the competition) by an IPCH Classification Panel, consisting of other Classifiers than in the first testing. That means automatically that a protest cannot be submitted when there is only óne classification panel available. 4.4 In case of protest during the competition (after the scheduled Protest Classification Session), no retesting will take place during the event concerned, but the player has to enter a next Classification Session at another IPCH competition. 4.5 The Team Manager of the Team has the right of appeal the procedure of a protest through their IWAS national member organization to the IWAS. 5. THE RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF ATHLETES 5.1 Every athlete has the right to enter the classification process in order to obtain a valid Sport Specific PCH Class and Sport Class Status. After successfully completing the classification process he/she will obtain these. 5.2 The athlete may expect a respectful and professional examination in accordance with international standards. 5.3 During the classification process the privacy of the athlete and the given information will be respected. The information and results will only be used in function of the 24

26 classification goals. ICPH will follow the IPC regulations on classification data security, disclosure of classification data and retaining classification data. 5.4 The athlete has the right to be assisted during the evaluation by a maximum of 2 persons (to be chosen among coaches, team manager and/or other team assistant). The team assistant of the player is only allowed to help the player or answer questions if requested by a Classifier. 5.5 The athlete has the right, (only) in accordance with the national IWAS member organisation, to protest the result of a classification as mentioned in point 4 of this IPCH Classification Manual. 5.6 The protest has to be submitted by the Team Manager, as the official representative of the national member organisation of the IWAS. 5.7 Before entering the classification process the athlete has to fill in and undersign the IPCH Classification Consent Form as mentioned in point 2.1. The Appendix will show this Consent Form. 5.8 The IPCH Classification Consent Form notices: Ø the willingness to undergo a complete Classification Process, including all components as required by the IPCH and to take part co-operating fully with the classifiers, Ø the acknowledgement that classifiers are not held liable for any pain or suffering experienced in the course of the athlete s evaluation, Ø an agreement to allow photographs and/or videotaping for educational purpose. 5.9 The data and the information collected during the Classification Process might be used for further studies or researches to develop IPCH Classification The IPCH Classification Consent Form also refers to the IPC Code articles about noncooperation during evaluation and intentionally mis-representing skills and abilities Each athlete shall present him/herself for classification on the date, time and location as appointed. The athlete shall be dressed for the classification in sportswear as in the competition and has to present in the wheelchair and with all the equipment that the athlete will use in competition. The athlete shall also be sufficiently warmed-up to execute the movements in the Physical Assessment and the tests in the Technical Assessment Players who already received a C(onfirmed) sport class status but whose impairments have changed since this classification, have to inform the IPCH Classification Officer by their national IWAS member organisation and ask for a re-classification before reentering the competition. 6. CLASSIFIER PERSONAL AND TRAINING 6.1 IPCH Classifiers are individuals (physicians/physiotherapists/technicians in sport) trained and certified by IPCH to determine an athlete s Sport Specific PCH Class and Sport Class Status All licensed IPCH Classifiers are listed in the IPCH Classifier Register, which is updated after every Classifier Course and Classification Session. All IPCH Classifiers can be members of the IPCH Classification Committee. 6.3 IPCH Classifiers work as members of Classification Panels and are appointed by the IPCH Executive Committee on advise of the IPCH Head of Classification Committee for each 25

27 event, competition or official IPCH Classification Session requested by a National Oragnization for PCH. In order to be appointed all of them have undersigned the IWAS/IPCH Code of Conduct. Financial compensation for this work has to be transparent and under the supervision of the IWAS and the IPCH Executive Committee. 6.4 A Classification Panel consists preferably of 3 classifiers, but classification can be done as well by 2 or 1 classifier. When a panel consist of three classifiers, than preferable one medical doctor, one physiotherapist and/or one sports technician, but each member of the panel should be able, independent of profession/background, to execute the required testing. When a classification panel consists of less than 3 classifiers, the status of the classification can only be R and has to be confirmed with a further official Athlethe evaluation. 6.5 IPCH Classifiers do have experience in the evaluation of physically disabled persons and have followed an IPCH Classification Course. 6.6 There are 3 levels of certification: Ø Trainee: Successfully completed the Classification Course. Unable to allocate a sport class without supervision. Ø Level 1: Trainees having classified PCH athletes under supervision at least 2 times within the last 5 years in an international IPCH Classification Session. To retain the authorization, the classifier has to take part in an international classification procedure at least once in 4 years and has to classify PCH athletes nationally each year. Ø Level 2: Level 1 classifiers having classified PCH athletes at least 2 times within 5 years in an international IPCH Classification Session. To retain the authorization, the classifier has to take part in an international classification procedure every 4 years and has to classify PCH athletes nationally each year. Level 2 classifiers are able to become an IPCH Chief Classifier. 6.7 Every approved classification session is under the supervision of an IPCH Chief Classifier, appointed by the IPCH Executive Committee on advise of the IPCH Head of Classification Committee. 6.8 Duties and tasks of the IPCH Head of Classification Committee: - Administers and co-ordinates IPCH classification matters. - Examines the current status of classification on a regular basis. - Leads the design, planning and recommendation of classification programs. - Advises to the IPCH Executive Committee on appointment of classifiers and chief classifiers for appropriate competitions. - Organizes and conducts training/certification Classifiers Courses. - Maintains/updates the classification database (IPCH Master List). - Communicates with classifiers of any relevant changes and liaises with all relevant external parties. - Reports to the IPCH Executive Committee. 6.9 Duties and tasks of an IPCH Chief Classifier: - Administers and co-ordinates classification matters for a specific approved competition. - Liaises with the organizing committees to identify athletes for evaluation of sport class and/or sport class status 26

28 - Liaises with the organizing committee to ensure logistics for other classifiers and supervises the classifiers in the classification process and in their duties/competencies. - Reports to the IPCH Head of Classification Committee Duties and tasks of an IPCH Classifier: - Works as a member of an IPCH Classification Panel. - Works eventually as a member of a protest panel. - Attends all classification meetings at the relevant competitions. - Assists in training and certification courses Duties and tasks as IPCH Trainee: - Takes an active part in the IPCH Classifiers Course. - Observes during classification sessions in order to learn classification rules and to develop competencies and proficiencies to achieve certification. - Attends all relevant classification meetings at events As classification is confidential IPCH Classifiers shall not comment classifications of individual athletes otherwise than in the relevant meetings of the IPCH Classifiers Team at the event and meetings of the IPCH Classification Committee. 7. ORGANISATION OF A CLASSIFICATION SESSION 7.1 A national member organisation of IWAS may request the IPCH for approval of an PCH competition to organise a sanctioned IPCH Classification Session, at least 6 months before the proposed date of the event. 7.2 IPCH decides to approve the competition and IPCH Classification Session and is communicating with the IPCH Head of Classification Committee at least 4 months before the proposed date of the event. 7.3 The IPCH Head of Classification Committee advises the IPCH Executive Committee for appointment of an IPCH Chief Classifier and as much classification panels as asked. The appointed classifiers will receive the confirmation of their appointment at least 3 months before the proposed date. 7.4 The IPCH Chief Classifier will receive from the Organising Committee of the approved competition all necessary information, including the list of the athletes to be classified and information about the organisation of the classification session (competition schedule, room for classification and available equipment, lodging and transfers of classifiers, administrative support, etcetera) at least 6 weeks before the proposed date. 7.5 The IPCH Chief Classifier will make a detailed time schedule for the classification, including eventual protest classification, and in-competition-observation at least 2 weeks before the proposed date of the event. 7.6 The appointed IPCH Classifiers will arrive the day before the start of classification educational sessions or, when there are no such sessions, before the classification process and the IPCH Chief Classifier will chair a preparatory meeting with all the classifiers on that day. 7.7 Immediately after the classification process a classifiers meeting will be organized by the IPCH Chief Classifier to discuss and decide about the classification results, to prepare an 27

29 eventual protest classification including the composition of the Protest Classification Panel and to prepare the in-competition-observation. 7.8 The results will be communicated to the athletes, team managers and the organizing committee in accordance with the. 7.9 After the in-competition-observation a meeting will be organized by the IPCH Chief Classifier to discuss and decide about the results of the in-competition-observation and to discuss and prepare the Final Classification Report The IPCH Chief Classifier will communicate the results to all relevant persons in accordance with the and send this report to the IPCH Head of Classification Committee The classification room offers possibilities to perform the eligibility testing and the physical assessment testing One classification of one player will take approximately 30 minutes To perform the eligibility testing it is necessary to have the possibility to shield the classification room visually and auditory according the rules of the privacy laws The room shall consist 1 broad examination table (at least 1,2 m. wide, preference type Bobath table), mechanically or electronically adjustable in height, 1 table and 3 chairs for each classification panel, appropriate equipment (goniometer, tape measure, etcetera), administrative equipment (paper, pens, eventually ITC equipment). Dimensions of the room: at least 20 m² To perform the Technical Assessment testing, a (sports) hall with a flat floor is necessary.. Equipment: 1 table and 3 chairs for the classification panel, 10 cones of 55 cm height and a diameter of 30 cm at the basis, tape for taping lines on the floor, match balls, administrative equipment (paper, pens, eventually ITC equipment). If possible, video registration equipment. 28

30 Appendix: Medical Form. 29

31 Appendix: Consent Form. 30

32 Appendix: Protest Form. 31

33 Appendix: IPCH Classification Form 32

34 Appendix: Volume of Action Drawing 33

35 Appendix: PCH Classification Flowchart 34

36 35

37 Appendix: TIC Tests 36

38 37

39 38