F2 (classification)
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F2, also T2 and SP2, is a wheelchair sport classification that corresponds to the neurological level C7. Historically, it was known as 1B Complete, 1A Incomplete. People in this class are often tetraplegics. Their impairment effects the use of their hands and lower arm, and they can use a wheelchair using their own power.
The process for classification into this class has a medical and functional classification process. This process is often sport specific.
Neurological
This is wheelchair sport classification that corresponds to the neurological level C7.[1][2] In the past, this class was known as 1B Complete, 1A Incomplete.[1][2]
In 2002, USA Track & Field defined this class as, " These athletes have limited or no hand function. Power for pushing now comes from elbow extension, wrist extension and active chest muscles. Their head may be forced backwards (by the use of neck muscles), producing slight upper trunk movements even though they do not have use of their trunk muscles. Neurological level: C7-C8."[3] Disabled Sports USA defined the functional definition of this class in 2003 as, "Have difficulty gripping with non-throwing arm. [...] These athletes may have slight function between the digits of the hand."[2]
Recommended sports for people at C7 include archery and table tennis.[4]
Disabled Sports USA defined the neurological definition of this class in 2003 as C7.[2] People in this class are often tetraplegics level C7/C8 or higher incomplete lesion.[5]
Anatomical
The location of lesions on different vertebrae tend to be associated with disability levels and functionality issues. C7 is associated with elbow flexors. C8 is associated with finger flexors.[6] Disabled Sports USA defined the anatomical definition of this class in 2003 as, ""Have functional elbow flexors and extensors, wrist dorsi-flexors and palmar flexors. Have good shoulder muscle function. May have some finger flexion and extension but not functional."[2] People with lesions at C7 have stabilization and extension of the elbow and some extension of the wrist.[4]
Functional
People with a lesion at C7 have an impairment that effects the use of their hands and lower arm.[7] They can use a wheelchair using their own power, and do everyday tasks like eating, dressing, and normal physical maintenance.[4] People in this class have a total respiratory capacity of 79% compared to people without a disability.[8]
People with spinal injuries at T6 or higher are more likely to develop Autonomic dysreflexia (AD). It also sometimes rarely effects people with injuries at T7 and T8. The condition causes over-activity of the autonomic nervous system, and can suddenly onset when people are playing sports. Some of the symptoms include nausea, high blood pressure, a pounding headache, flushed face, profuse sweating, a lower heart rate or a nasal congestion. If left untreated, it can cause a stroke. Players in some sports like wheelchair rugby are encouraged to be particularly on guard for AD symptoms.[9]
Governance
In general, classification for spinal cord injuries and wheelchair sport is overseen by International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Federation (IWAS),[10][11] having taken over this role following the 2005 merger of ISMWSF and ISOD.[12][13] From the 1950s to the early 2000s, wheelchair sport classification was handled International Stoke Mandeville Games Federation (ISMGF).[12][14][15]
Some sports have classification managed by other organizations. In the case of athletics, classification is handled by IPC Athletics.[16] Wheelchair rugby classification has been managed by the International Wheelchair Rugby Federation since 2010.[17] Lawn bowls is handled by International Bowls for the Disabled.[18] Wheelchair fencing is governed by IWAS Wheelchair Fencing (IWF).[19] The International Paralympic Committee manages classification for a number of spinal cord injury and wheelchair sports including alpine skiing, biathlon, cross country skiing, ice sledge hockey, powerlifting, shooting, swimming, and wheelchair dance.[11]
Some sports specifically for people with disabilities, like race running, have two governing bodies that work together to allow different types of disabilities to participate. Race running is governed by both the CPISRA and IWAS, with IWAS handling sportspeople with spinal cord related disabilities.[20]
Classification is also handled at the national level or at the national sport specific level. In the United States, this has been handled by Wheelchair Sports, USA (WSUSA) who managed wheelchair track, field, slalom, and long-distance events.[21] For wheelchair basketball in Canada, classification is handled by Wheelchair Basketball Canada.[22]
History
Early on in this classes history, the class had a different name and was based on medical classification and originally intended for athletics.[23][24][25] During the 1960s and 1970s, classification involved being examined in a supine position on an examination table, where multiple medical classifiers would often stand around the player, poke and prod their muscles with their hands and with pins. The system had no built in privacy safeguards and players being classified were not insured privacy during medical classification nor with their medical records.[26]
During the late 1960s, people oftentimes tried to cheat classification to get in classified more favorably. The group most likely to try to cheat at classification were wheelchair basketball players with complete spinal cord injuries located at the high thoracic transection of the spine.[27] Starting in the 1980s and going into the 1990s, this class began to be more defined around functional classification instead of a medical one.[15][28]
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