Athletes are classified into 11 classes, depending on the skills required for the sport and their ability (functional classification). Classification takes place after examining the range of movement of each athlete, his or her muscle strength, locomotor restrictions, balance in the wheelchair and the ability to handle the racket. Classes TT1-TT10 are for athletes with a physical disability. Classes 1 to 5 are for athletes competing in wheelchairs, while classes 6 to 10 compete standing. Class TT11 is for intellectually disabled athletes according to the INAS-FID/IPC definition (this class is currently not included in Paralympic competition).

Table Tennis Functional Classification

Governing Federation: CP- ISRA / ISMWSF / ISOD / IPC

Classification Card: Table Tennis Functional card

Handbook Section:
CP- ISRA handbook, 6th Edition, Section 5, Classification Profiles
ISMWSF handbook, December 1989, Section 13, General Rules
ISOD handbook, June 1990, Section 1, Chapter 4, Medical Classification

1. General Rules

Functional classification requires that players must bring a bat to the examination and be prepared to play in the wheelchair they intend to use in competition. Similarly, players using orthosis/prosthesis should be prepared as for match- play.

In borderline cases the player shall be classified in the less advantageous Class, subject to review.

Graphics reproduced courtesy of COOB '92

2. Eligible for Competition

Table Tennis Sitting Functional Classification Classes 1- 5

- N.B. Strapping of the bat to the hand is permitted in all classes
N.B. See CP- ISRA Handbook; Terminology Section 2 Pages 1/2.
(+ = full joint control; 0 = reduced joint control; - = no joint control).

Class 1
Elbow and hand extension are achieved by a swinging movement initiated from the shoulder. Coordination of arm movements is significantly different from non- impaired arms. All trunk movements are secured by holding wheelchair or thigh with the hand or by holding the back of the chair with bent elbow.

CPs:
Asymmetric or symmetric quadriplegia.
Severe trunk balance disorders.
Ubrbrer extremity spasticity (Spasticity grade scale for muscle tone: 3- 4).

Figure 1 [TBA]

Class 2
Elbow extension is sufficient and hand movements are well co- ordinated but without normal power. Positioning of trunk is secured similarly to Class 1 players.

CPs:
Triplegia.
Severe trunk balance disorders.
Upper extremity spasticity (Spasticity grade scale for muscle tone: 2- 3).

Figure 2 [TBA]

Class 3
In the highest lesions (C8) minimal motor losses may be seen in the bat hand, but these losses are not significant enough to effect any known table tennis skill. Slight changes of trunk position are secured by the free hand holding, pushing or propping at wheelchair or thigh. Lower part of the trunk keeps in contact with the back of the seat. Backward movements of the arm are reduced because of missing trunk rotation. Deliberate movements of the wheelchair are mostly disadvantageous.


CPs:
Severe diplegia.
Minimal limitations in control of upper extremities.
Moderate trunk balance disorders.
Severe spasticity in lower extremities (Spasticity grade scale for muscle tone: 4).

Figure 3 [TBA]

Class 4
Sitting upright, normal arm and trunk movements can be seen. Trunk movements to increase reach are only possible by using free arm to prop, hold or push at wheelchair or thigh. Deliberate movements of the wheelchair are possible. When starting with one hand forward trunk cannot lean forward optimally. Lateral movements are not possible without assistance from the free arm.

CPs:
Moderate diplegia.
Moderate disorders in trunk balance.
Moderate spasticity in lower extremities (Spasticity grade scale for muscle tone: 3).

Figure 4 [TBA]

Class 5
Trunk may be bent forward or raised deliberately in sagittal plane without the use of free arm. Significant pushing actions with thighs or even feet can be seen. Wheelchair handling is optimal because of good trunk positioning forward and backward. Some lateral movement can be seen.

CPs:
Slight diplegia.
Minimal trunk balance problems.
Slight spasticity in lower extremities.
Cannot play standing.

Figure 5 [TBA]

Medically Defined Functional Types (Graphic 1)

[TBA}

Tetraplegia (Class 1)
Severe reduction of function in playing arm effecting grip, wrist flexion and elbow extension. Triceps muscle non- functional.


Tetraplegia (Class 2)
Reduction of function in playing arm effecting grip and hand function (wrist muscles). Triceps muscle functional (4- 5).


Paraplegia (Class 3)
No favourable balance when sitting upright in a wheelchair without support of a back rest.
Lack of abdominal and back muscles to control upper part of trunk and fix lumbar column.


Paraplegia (Class 4)
Sufficient sitting balance in upright position. No deliberate trunk movement in sagittal and frontal planes because of missing functional hip and thigh muscles.


Paraplegia (Class 5)
Minimal functional level is the ability to perform trunk movements in the sagittal plane when the pelvis is held in a chosen position by functional adductor muscles or other means (i.e. long leg braces, contractures, spasticity). All trunk muscles are involved.

Classification of Disabled other than Paraplegic and Tetraplegics

Incomplete ISMWSF 1C Players:
Classified according to remaining trunk functions in Classes 3, 4, or 5.

Amputees:
All play in Class 5 except those with hip exarticulation and those with double above knee amputations with short stumps (i.e. proximal 1/3) who may play in Class 4.

Les Autres:
Players with internal prosthesis of hip, knee or ankle prohibited from playing in standing classes may play in Class 5.

Differences between Classes

Primary differences between Classes 1 & 2:
No active elbow extension in Class 1. Arm co- ordination and hand extensor muscles must be EMer in Class 2. Contraction of hand flexors is not controlled or co- ordinated by their antagonists (hand extensors) in Class 1.

Primary difference between Classes 2 & 3:
The Class 3 player has improved upper body movement.

Primary difference between Classes 3 & 4:
Class 4 players sit free and execute significant rotation of the trunk when playing arm is moved backward to the maximum.

Primary differences between Classes 4 & 5:
Class 5 players move trunk deliberately in sagittal plane. Class 4 players show extreme lumbar lordosis when raising trunk from their lap.

Table Tennis Standing Functional Classification Classes 6 - 10

Class 6
Combination of disabilities in the playing arm and lower limbs; Loss of 30 points in the playing arm and minimum loss in the lower limbs of 30 points with severe dynamic balance problems. A double above knee amputee may play in this Class.

CPs:

a) Symmetric or asymmetric moderate diplegia; moderate limitations in neuromuscular co- ordination in upper limbs, with slight spasticity (Spasticity grade scale for muscle tone: 2). Plus spasticity in lower limbs (Spasticity grade scale for muscle tone: 3), with moderate dynamic balance problems.

b) Moderate Athetoid or ataxic athlete; slight spasticity in upper limbs (Spasticity grade scale for muscle tone: 1- 2) plus severe involvement of involuntary movements in the upper limbs plus slight to moderate involvement of involuntary movements in lower limbs plus slight spasticity in lower limbs (Spasticity grade scale for muscle tone: 1- 2) plus fair dynamic balance.

Class 7

Single (playing arm) or double above or below elbow amputation or combination of both. Players with both upper limbs effected. Minimum 20 point loss in the playing arm.

CPs:
Moderate athetoid or ataxic athlete. Moderate involvement of involuntary movements in upper limbs plus slight spasticity in upper limbs (Spasticity grade scale for muscle tone: 1- 2).

Class 8
Single above knee amputation or double below knee amputation. Severe disability in one or two lower limbs. Decreased muscle strength of at least 30 points in lower limbs with poor dynamic balance.

CPs:

a) Symmetric or asymmetric slight to moderate diplegia; spasticity in lower limbs (Spasticity grade scale of muscle tone: 2- 3) with minimal dynamic balance problems.

b) Moderate hemiplegia; moderate spasticity in one half of the body (Spasticity grade scale of muscle tone: 3) plus slight spasticity in the less effected side of the body (Spasticity grade scale for muscle tone: 1- 2) with fair dynamic balance.

Class 9
Single below knee amputation.
Good dynamic balance.
Minimum disability in one leg 10 points.
Minimum disability in two legs 15 points.
A difference of lower limb length of 7cm.

CPs:

a) Slight hemiplegia; moderate spasticity in lower limb (Spasticity grade scale for muscle tone: 2- 3), with good balance.

b) Minimally effected diplegia; slight spasticity in lower limbs (Spasticity grade scale for muscle tone: 1- 2), with good balance.

Class 10
Amputation of the free arm up to the proximal 1/3 of the forearm. Normal function in the playing arm. Minimal loss in the free arm of 35 points. No prosthesis may be used. If they so wish, players may be examined with orthesis in place but they will be excluded if they lose less than 35 points. A player with congenital shortening of the free arm with normal function may only compete if this arm is equivalent in length to the upper part of the playing arm (i.e. shoulder to elbow).

CPs:
Monoplegia of the non- playing arm and/or minimal athetosis with normal balance.


Note: If a player has a minimal disability of 35 points in two or more limbs together, but not a minimal disability for any class, he will be placed in a class corresponding to his most handicapped limb.
For definition of muscle power and range of joint movement refer to the ISOD Handbook, Section 1, Chapter 4.
For Classes 6- 10 the loss of each 25% of joint movement in one or more joints together is equal to one point on the muscle test.
The participation of players with internal prosthesis of hip, knee or ankle is not permitted in standing classes. Section 1, Chapter 4 - 4.1. ISOD Handbook.
In the event of kyphosis or scoliosis the effect on the limbs shall be assessed functionally and the player classified accordingly.
Dwarfism as such does not constitute a recognised disability in the absence of locomotor handicaps. 1.4.3.2.F. ISOD Handbook.
A player who qualifies for more than one standing class may choose which class he wishes to play in. He may not change classes during a Championship.