Para-Karate Functional Testing Manual for the European Championships Ivan Vivaracho, Classifier of Para-Karate WKF / EKF Karl Michael Schölz, WKF Chairman Para-Karate Commission
1 The classification session Classification session will be done prior to competition, ideally one or two days before its start. Athletes will assist one by one, being possible to be accompanied by one coach if required. Classification session consist of 4 tests for athletes with physical impairments (wheelchair athletes) and 3 tests for athletes with intellectual impairments. Athletes taking part in the wheelchair category must perform functional tests with the same wheelchair that will be used later during competition. Extra-points computation is performed by calculation of the average of medical assessment and functional assessment points (see part 4. Calculation of points). Athletes with visual impairments will not perform any functional test, as their extra-points will be given based only on the medical certificate. 2 Functional Tests 2.1 Wheelchair athletes 2.1.1 Fuselage control: trunk impairment scale. Athlete should sit on the medical bench (only if the transfer were not possible, athlete would do the task sitting on his wheelchair). Firstly, the athlete should lean towards his right side until the right elbow reaches the right side of the bench, and go back to the starting sitting position. Then he/she should lean towards his left side until the left elbow reaches the right side of the bench, and go back to the starting sitting position. Afterwards, athlete will be asked to lift the right side of the pelvis once and then lift the other side of the pelvis without using his hands or any other help. Assessment: Athlete can support himself in a controlled way and can stand up again without the help of the other arm Athlete can support himself with the help of the other arm, Athlete cannot support himself in a controlled way or can't execute the order without outside help. The athlete can lift both sides of the pelvis. The athlete can only raise one of his pelvis or needs the help of his hands. The athlete cannot lift any side of his pelvis Both sides are evaluated, the evaluation is summarized. Scoring: Manages to do all tasks Can perform 3 out of 4 movements assessed Can perform 2 out of 4 movements assessed Manages only one or none of the tasks Points: 0 1 2 3
2.1.2 Fuselage Control: Sit-up test The sit-up test assesses the abdominal muscle power and the overall trunk control. Athlete lies himself on his back along the medical bench. Then he must try to straighten his upper body without any help from his hands or other persons. Assessment: Athlete will be asked to perform the task. Classifier will look after him, being sure he is secure while performing the task, as some athletes might not have trunk control at all. Classifier will place his hand over athlete s abdominal muscles, in order to understand on what extent abdominal muscles show certain activity. Scoring: Complete the task Can lie down independently / Show some difficulties to lift his body but does it Can't lie down on his own / Can t lift his body but there s some abdominal muscle activity Can't lift his head/ can't lie down / can't do the task due to lack of abdominal muscle activity Points: 0 1 2 3 2.1.3 Functional reach test Test for balance and trunk mobility. Athlete places himself on the wheelchair sideways to a wall with a horizontal scale at shoulder level (measuring tape or a measuring board that can be adjusted to the athlete's height). The athlete is asked to extend his open hand forward with the arm
stretched out at an angle of 90 degrees to the front as far as possible without losing his balance. He may bend his upper body. No shoulder or trunk rotation is allowed to further reaching. Assessment: Three trials are done and the average of the last two is noted (first one will not be taken into account). Scores are determined by assessing the difference between the start and end position is the reach distance, usually measured in centimetres. Scoring: Points: Can safely reach more than 25 cm forward 0 Can safely reach more than 12.5 cm forward 1 Can safely reach more than 5 cm forward 2 Cannot safely > 5cm reach forward 3 2.1.4 Sport-specific test Test that assesses wheelchair kata determinants of performance on a sport-specific way. The athlete will be asked to perform from a starting point four techniques in 4 directions in quick succession (as in Shotokan-Kata Unsu), including a wheelchair propulsion turn in between. Sequence will be practiced as many times is needed until total comprehension is ensured. Sequence of movements: 1º. One push forward - Oi Zuki (performed with left and right arm). 2º. 180 degrees rotation, Age Uke (performed with left and right arm). 3º. 90 degree left rotation - Soto Uke (performed with left and right arm). 4º. 180 degrees rotation - Gedan Barai (performed with left and right arm) + in this position, execution of Gedan Barai again to every side, left and right.
Assessment: Oi Zuki tests the arm range and safety in the fuselage area Age Uke the mobility of the arms upwards (vertical plane) Soto Uke the mobility of the shoulder and chest area Gedan Barai the mobility in the horizontal plane both to the front and sides Scoring: Points: Passes the test without visible problems and quickly 0 Has problems in speed / arm mobility is slightly limited 1 Has uncertainties in rotation / limitations in mobility / orientation problems 2 Creates the task very slowly / is very unsafe around wheelchair / Has problems in the complete execution of the techniques / Cannot perform: 3 Sport specific test will be video-recorded both from the frontal and sagittal plane to allow later reclassification, evidence and for documentation and research purposes. 2.2 Athletes with Intellectual Impairments 2.2.1 Functional Reach Test Test for balance and trunk mobility. Athlete stands sideways to a wall with a horizontal scale at shoulder level (measuring tape or a measuring board that can be adjusted to the athlete's height). The athlete is asked to extend his open hand forward with the arm stretched out at an angle of 90 degrees to the front as far as possible without losing his balance. He may bend his upper body. No shoulder or trunk rotation is allowed to further reaching.
Assessment: Three trials are done and the average of the last two is noted (first one will not be taken into account). Scores are determined by assessing the difference between the start and end position is the reach distance, usually measured in centimetres. Scoring: Points: Can safely reach more than 25 cm forward 0 Can safely reach more than 12.5 cm forward 1 Can safely reach more than 5 cm forward 2 Cannot safely > 5cm reach forward 3 2.2.2 Star Excursion Balance Test The Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) is a dynamic test that requires strength, flexibility, and proprioception. It is a measure of dynamic balance that provides a significant challenge to athletes. Moreover, it does represent somehow the 8 different embusen that are most common during a kata execution. The person standing on one leg (his/her left leg for example) and placing his hands on his hips) must reach in 8 different positions with his right foot, once in each of the following directions: anterior (1), anteromedial (2), medial (3), posteromedial (4), posterior (5), posterolateral (6), lateral (7) and anterolateral (8).
Assessment: Athlete manages this test easily and without strong rotation, Athlete has light problems in execution like stability problems but still manages the test Does not understand the test, executes it wrong If an athlete opens his eyes for correction the test is failed and a score of 23 is given. Scoring: Points Execution without failure and no or slight stability problems 0 Has some stability problems, execution of 1 to 3 positions not possible 1 Has severe stability problems, execution at least 4 positions not possible 2 Cannot execute order, does not understand order, cannot stand on one leg 3 2.2.3 Sport specific test Test adapted to athletes with intellectual impariments that assesses kata determinants of performance on a sport-specific way. Athlete will be asked to perform four times in Zenkutsu Dachi to the front the following techniques: Oi Zuki, Soto Uke, Age Uke and Mae Geri. Starting positions is set at Gedan Barai in Zenkutsu Dachi, performed to the front. Afterwards, same sequence is performed backwards, substituting Mae Geri by Gedan Barai. All techniques are required to be made within a rectangle marked on the ground (shoulder width). Athlete must not leave the rectangle by no means. Sequence will be practiced as many times is needed until total comprehension is ensured.
Scoring: Does the test without visible problems staysing in the rectangle and being fast, strong and powerful Has problems with speed or arm/leg movement is slightly restricted, but remains in the rectangle Has uncertainties in standing / restrictions in mobility / orientation problems and leaves the rectangle again and again Creates the task very slowly / is very insecure / Has problems in the complete execution of the techniques / Can't execute them / Can't move in the rectangle Points 0 1 2 3 Sport specific test will be video-recorded both from the frontal and sagittal plane to allow later reclassification, evidence and for documentation and research purposes. 3 Materials 3.1 Room The testing room should be at least 10 x 5 meters in size. It should also be accessible for wheelchair users and have a protected and quiet location offering privacy. 3.2 Equipment 10 chairs 2 tables Stable and height-adjustable therapy bench Presentation board Tape measure Adhesive tape tape for measures and marks Stopwatch Power outlet Internet connection Laptop Video camera Disinfectant for the table Hand sanitizer for personnel Paper towels in sufficient quantity Drinks and light snacks 3.3 Personnel Classifiers 1 protocol writer Volunteers in and in front of the room All staff personnel must at least speak English.
4 Calculation of Points Extra points are calculated based on the mean between the results obtained in the medical certificate (MC) and results of the functional test (FT). Therefore, both results are summed up, averaged, and rounded up or down (x.5 values will be always rounded up): Example: Average: 1 (MC) +2 (FT) = 1.5 = 2 additional points (rounded up) 4.1 Points from the medical certificate: Looking at the colored table, extra points are given based on the color marked with a cross. - Red: 3 extra points. - Yellow: 2 extra points. - Green: 1 extra points. - Blue: 0 extra points. In the medical certificate of athletes with intellectual impairments, a total number of 11 crosses should be marked. Following the same rule (Red: 3 extra points, Yellow: 2 extra points, Green: 1 extra points and Blue: 0 extra points), average of all crosses will be calculated and rounded up or down (x.5 values will be always rounded up). Example: Seven times green (1 point each) and four times yellow (2 points each) were marked with a cross. This results in the following average value: 7+8=15 15 / 11 = 1.4 = 1 (rounded) 4.2 Points from the functional tests: Looking at the scoring system of each test, extra points will be given to the athlete depending on their performance in each test. Therefore, results of each test are summed up, averaged, and rounded up or down (x.5 values will be always rounded up): Example: For a wheelchair athlete, following values for four tests were determined: - Test 1, trunk impairment scale: 2 - Test 2, sit-up test: 3 - Test 3, functional reach test: 1 - Test 4, sport-specific test: 1 This results in the following average value: 2+3+1+1+1= 7 7 / 4 = 1, 75 = 2 (rounded up)
5 Data management In order to keep a similar pattern on every athlete regarding counting points, a similar excel file will be filled up with every athlete information and test results. This document will automatically calculate averages and extra points given to such athlete. Finally, results of every athlete will be noted on a table which will be printed and given to the table officials. For better understanding, examples of these document can be found in the following two pages.
WHEELCHAIR ATHLETES
INTELLECTUAL IMPARIMENT ATHLETES