Classification System

Classification System for Para-Climbing

Para-Climbing is a new sport and a variety of different impairments can result in reduced power; classification is an attempt to optimize placement of all athletes in order to ensure competition is between individuals of similar performance capabilities.

Categories and standards will be adopted by CEC and reviewed on a regular basis by the Para-Climbing Committee. A complete Classification Document will be available by the fall of 2021.

International Standard for Eligible Impairments (International Paralympic Committee)

Classification System for Para-Climbing: Paraplegic (AL1)

AL1 (Paraplegic): 

  • 2 legs: no usable muscle function below waist
  • Climbing method utilizes arms only

 

Classification System for Para-Climbing: Amputee (AU1, AU AL2)

AU1 (Upper Limb Amputee *not allowed to use prosthetic)

  • 2 arms: full or combination of any arm amputation/deficiency per AU2 requirements
  • 1 arm: full (shoulder disarticulation)

AU2 (Upper Limb Amputee *not allowed to use prosthetic)

  • At least 1 arm
    • Above and below elbow amputation
    • No hand (wrist joint may exist, no functionally usable finger joints)
  • Minimum disability: All fingers (disarticulated phalanges of one or both hands)

AL2 (Lower Limb Amputee *prosthetics allowed)

  • 1 or 2 legs: Limb deficiency: Total or partial absence of bones or joints as a consequence of trauma (e.g. car accident), illness (e.g. cancer) or congenital limb deficiency (e.g. dysmelia).
  • Minimum disability
    • no ankle joint present (unless used as a knee via Rotationplasty)
    • leg limb discrepancy resulting in using a prosthetic to walk

 

Classification System for Para-Climbing: Visually Impaired (B1, B2, B3)

B1 (Visually Impaired: Completely or almost completely blind *must wear blindfold during competition regardless of sight)

  • No light perception in either eye up to light perception, and an inability to recognize the shape of a hand at any distance or in any direction.
  • Visual acuity lower than LogMAR 2.6.

B2 (Visually Impaired: Moderately blind)

  • From ability to recognize the shape of a hand up to visual acuity of 20/600 and/or a visual field of less than 5 degrees in the best eye with the best practical eye correction.
  • Visual acuity ranging from LogMAR 1.5 to 2.6 (inclusive) and/or visual field constricted to a diameter of less than 10 degrees.

B3 (Visually Impaired: Legally blind with corrective measures)

  • From visual acuity above 20/600 and up to visual acuity of 20/200 and/or a visual field of less than 20 degrees and more than 5 degrees in the best eye with the best practical eye correction.
  • Visual acuity ranging from LogMAR 1.4 to 1.0 (inclusive) and/or visual field constricted to a diameter of less than 40 degrees.

 

Classification System for Para-Climbing: Range of Power (RP1, RP2, RP3)

RP1 (Range of Power: Severe impact)

  • disability affects all body parts severely (hypertonia, impaired muscle power, ataxia)

RP2 (Range of Power: Moderate impact)

  • disability affects all body parts moderately (hypertonia, impaired muscle power, ataxia)
  • impairment of lower limbs creating walking difficulties or one limb severely affected

RP3 (Range of Power: Noticeable impact)

  • Impaired passive range of movement: elbow, junction between elbow & wrist, wrist, waist, junction between waist and knee, knee, junction between knee and ankle
  • noticeable hypertonia
  • noticeable impaired muscle power
  • athetosis creating an as

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