Challenges and opportunities in wheelchair basketball classification– A Delphi study

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ABSTRACT

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) mandates Paralympic Sports to develop evidence-based classification systems that allocate athletes into ‘classes’ according to the impact of their impairment on sport-specific performance. In wheelchair-basketball, a panel of classifiers assesses athlete’s performance through observation. One key barrier to evidence-based classification is the absence of defined eligible impairments, including clear guidelines on how to assess them and their impact on wheelchair basketball performance. This study aims to reach expert consensus on issues specific to wheelchair basketball that can benefit from evidence-based classification. It offers recommendations for refining the classification manual, thus improving adherence to the IPC classification code. A three-round Delphi study was conducted with 29 experts in wheelchair basketball. The experts agreed with the new definition for the aim of wheelchair basketball classification, which is in line with the IPC code. Cases identified as having the highest risk for disagreement between classifiers included classifying players with upper limb deficiency or with impaired coordination. The panel failed to agree on changing the classification procedures and on defining the eligible impairment list. This study identifies issues specific to wheelchair basketball classification to be addressed in future research. Additional discussions need to take place to promote further resolution.

KEYWORDS:

• Wheelchair Basketball
• Delphi Survey
• Evidence-Based Classification
• player classification system
• Paralympic

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the experts who participated in this Delphi review process for their contributions. Special thanks to the IWBF Classification commission: Don Perriman, - previous chairman of IWBF Classification, and the members of the steering group: Regina Costa – chairperson of IWBF Classification, Jayne Marie Chilutti, Loleta Krige, Amoghavajra Mackay, Wouter Terryn, and Anne Lachance.

The authors would like to dedicate this article to Mr. Ron Coppenrath who dedicated his life to the development and growth of wheelchair basketball in Europe.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflict of interest. However, the roles of the authors should be declared: Dr. Fliess-Douer is a Zonal wheelchair basketball Classifier, Ms. Koseff is an International wheelchair basketball classifier, Prof. Vanlandewijck and Dr. Tweedy lead Evidence-based Classification Research programs funded by the IPC. Dr. Tweedy is a member of the IPC Classification Committee, and Prof. Molik is an International wheelchair basketball classifier and the head of IWBF Classification Europe.