Track & Field Classification System for Students With a Disability                                        

Current Classification

Definition

Deaf (Track & Field Events)

T/F 01

Deaf or Hearing Impaired refers to a hearing loss which renders it impossible to understand speech through hearing alone, even if a hearing aid is used.

Visually Impaired (Track & Field Events)

T/F 11

From no light perception at all in either eye, up to and including the ability to perceive light; inability to recognise objects or contours in any direction and at any distance.

T/F 12

Ability to recognise objects up to a distance of 2 metres ie below 2/60 and/or visual field of less than five (5) degrees.

T/F 13

Can recognise contours between 2 and 6 metres away ie 2/60 – 6/60 and visual field of more than five (5) degrees and less than twenty (20) degrees.

Intellectually Disabled (Track & Field Events)

T/F 20

Intellectually disabled.  There are many different descriptions and conditions of intellectual disability.  Intellectually disabled athletes must have substantial limitation in present functioning characterised by intellectual functioning.  (The athlete’s intellectual functioning is approximately 70 – 75 or below).  Limitations in two or more of the following adaptive skill areas; communication, self-care; home living, social skills, community use, self direction, health and safety, functional academics, leisure and work.  They must have acquired their condition before age 18.

Cerebral Palsy (Track & Field Events)

 T/F 32

Severe to moderate quadriplegia.  Upper extremity events are performed by pushing the wheelchair with one or two arms, and the wheelchair propulsion is restricted due to poor control.  Upper extremity athletes have limited control of movements, but are able to produce some semblance of throwing motion.

T/F 33

Moderate quadriplegia.  Fair functional strength and moderate problems in upper extremities and torso.  Wheelchair for daily activities but may be ambulant with assistive devises.

T/F 34

Moderate to severe problems in lower limbs, good functional strength and minimal control problems in upper limbs and torso.  Wheelchair for daily activities but may be ambulant with assistive devises.

T/F 35

Good functional strength and minimal control problems in upper limbs.  No wheelchair.  May or may not use assistive devices.

T/F 36

Greater upper limb involvement, less co-ordination / balance problems when running or throwing.  Ambulates without walking devices.

T/F 37

Moderate to minimal hemiplegia (ie one half of the body affected – arm and leg on same side).  Good functional ability in non affected side.  Walks / runs without assistive devices, but with a limp.

T/F 38

Minimal hemiplegia.  May have minimal co-ordination problems, good balance.  Runs and jumps freely.

Amputee & Les Autres (Track Events)

T40

Little People

T 42

Single leg, above or through knee amputation. Combined lower plus upper limb amputations. Minimal disability.

T 43

Double leg, below knee amputation. Combined lower plus upper limb amputations. Normal function in throwing arm.

T 44

Single leg below knee amputation. Combined lower plus upper limb amputations. Ambulant with moderately reduced function in one or both lower limbs.

T 45

Double arm above elbow. Double arm below elbow.

T 46

Single arm, above elbow. Single arm, below elbow. Normal function in both lower limbs. Other impairments in trunk. Upper limb function in throwing.

Amputee & Autres  (Field Events)

F 40

Little People

F 42

Single leg, above or through knee amputation. Combined lower plus upper limb amputations. Minimal disability.

F 43

Double leg, below the knee amputation. Combined lower plus upper limb amputations. Normal function in throwing arm.

F 44

Single leg below the knee amputation. Combined lower plus upper limb amputations. Ambulant with moderately reduced function in one or both lower limbs.

F 45

Double arm above elbow. Double arm below elbow.

F 46

Single arm, above elbow. Single arm, below elbow. Normal function in both lower limbs. Other impairments in trunk. Upper limb function in throwing.

Wheelchair Athletes    (Track Events)

T 52

Damage to spinal cord in the higher parts of the back.  Substantially impaired or no trunk function; no leg function.  Pushing power comes from elbow extensions.

T 53

Impaired trunk movements, some with no spinal control.  Some interference in their ability to perform long and forceful strokes and the ability to rapidly grasp and release the pushing rim of the wheel.

T 54

Have normal or nearly normal upper limb function.  May have no upper trunk movements and when pushing, the trunk is usually lying on the legs.  Those with almost normal trunk function are able to perform long and forceful strokes.  Double above the knee amputations.

Wheelchair Athletes (Field Events)

F 52

Limited arm function.  Difficulty gripping with non-throwing arm.

Shot – Unable to form a fist and therefore do not usually have finger contact with the shot at the release point.

Discus – Have difficulty placing fingers over the edge of the discus.

Javelin – Usually grip the Javelin between the index and middle fingers, or between the middle and ring fingers.

F 53

Have nearly normal grip with non-throwing arm.

Shot – Usually a good fist can be made.  Can spread fingers apart and can ‘grasp’ the shot put when throwing.

Discus – have good finger function to hold the discus and may be able to impart spin on the discus.  Are able to spread and close the fingers, but not with normal power.

Javelin – Usually grip Javelin between the thumb and the index finger.  Have ability to hold javelin.

F 54

Normal arm function; no trunk or leg function.  Shot, Discus and Javelin – Have no sitting balance and usually hold onto part of chair whilst throwing.

F 55

Some trunk function; no leg function.  Fair to good sitting balance.

F 56

Trunk function with some upper leg function.  Good balance and movements backwards and forwards.

F 57

Usually one ‘good’ leg and one ‘bad’ leg.  Good movements backwards and forwards, usually to one side.  Can raise from a sitting to a standing position with assistance during the throw.

F 58

Seated.  Better function than F57 athletes, but not enough to stand to throw.  Usually similar impairment in both legs. 

Transplantee

T/F60

Transplantee.  A person who has received a kidney, heart, heart and lung, liver or bone marrow transplant.