The sport movement for persons with a disability has changed dramatically over the last decades with even more changes ahead. Public awareness has increased. More and more individuals with a disability of all ages find interest in sport. Sport programmes and opportunities worldwide have increased in scope and number as well. Overall, sport has become a viable option for individuals with a disability.

Already in the 1970’s, professional researchers showed interest in the further development of sport for and including persons with a disability. Sport Science, the scientific discipline that studies the human movement with the aim to improve the sporting performance, found its application in disability sport. Sport Science incorporates research in areas such as physiology, psychology, biomechanics, performance analysis, nutrition and sports technology.

In 1993, the IPC established a Sport Science Committee as an indication of its commitment to the advancement of knowledge of Paralympic Sport. Since then, research has become a prominent feature on the agenda for the IPC.

For more information on Sport Science in general, please also visit the Link section of the IPC website.