Approach between two classification systems in wheelchair rugby athletes

Abstract

One of the possibilities of sports practice for people with cervical spinal cord injury is wheelchair rugby. Eligibility for the practice of wheelchair rugby is tetraplegia and tetra equivalence. With the evolution of Paralympic sport, functional classification tends to be based on evidence in both physical and functional testing; and one of the possibilities for approximating the functional classification is the international classification of functioning, disability and health. The objective of the present study is to describe the approximation between the two classification systems: functional classification of the wheelchair rugby and international classification of functioning, disability and health, as it is understood that the application of the international classification of functioning, disability and health can contribute to the consolidation and expansion of the Functional Classification of the wheelchair rugby. This cross-sectional observational research was carried out with athletes from the Minas Quad Rugby team. Data collection took place through functional physical therapy assessment together with the collection of Functional Classification of each athlete. The approximation between the classification systems can direct qualitative and quantitative measures of evaluation based on evidence through the functioning, disability and health domains in the Functional Classification of the wheelchair rugby.