General Classification

1. Amputee based classification system
   
   
   1. General
      
      The system is based on acquired amputations and dysmelia resembling acquired amputations.
      
      
   2. Abbreviations
      
      AK = Above or through knee joint
      BK = Below knee, but through or above talo-crural joint
      AE = Above or through elbow joint
      BE = Below elbow, but through or above wrist joint
      
      
   3. Minimal Handicap for amputee category:
      
      Amputation through or aboe the talo-crural or wrist joint. If there is a question of the level of amputation, it is the responsibility of the athlete to produce a recent X-ray of the amputation stump at the time of classification.
      
      Exceptions: see sports section rules respectively. If the classification team agrees that possible spicules of bone distal to the radio-ulnar joint or tibial-fibular joint are deemed non-functional.
      
      
   4. Basic classification code
      
      Class A1 = Double AK Class A2 = Single AK
      Class A3 = Double BK
      Class A4 = Single BK
      Class A5 = Double AE
      Class A6 = Single AE
      Class A7 = Double BE
      Class A8 = Single BE
      Class A9 = combined lower plus upper limb amputations
      
      Note: The classification for winter sports is combined for locomotor disabilities. The prefix in winter sports classification is therefore LW (Locomotor Winter).
      
      Comments
      1. Dysmelia (not resembling acquired amputees) are to be classified in the Les Autres.
      2. Combinations of amputations not specified above will be placed in the class closest to actual disability (e.g. combination BK/AK will in most sports be in class A3, and combination BE/AE will in most sports be in class A7).
      3. The need for change of the number of classes shall be continously observed with regard to disadvantages, actual difference in performances, and number of athletes.
         
         
2. Les Autres (other locomotor disabilities) based classification system
   
   
   1. General
      
      The system is a functional classification system applicable to locomotor disabilities regardless of diagnosis. Athletes belonging to the categories of amputees, cerebral palsied and spinal cord affected (paratetra-polio) are allowed to participate in certain events under the Les Autres classification (complying with the minimal handicaps) when no competitions at the particular tournament are available for them.
      
      
   2. The minimum disabilities described hereafter may be increased but not decreased by the specific Sport Section with the approval of both the Technical Officer and the Medical Officer. Such changes are not official unless printed as an update to this manual.
      
      The handicap must be permanent (stationary or progressive).
      
      a) Motor paresis or total paralysis of lower limbs:
      
      At least a decrease in muscle strength of 10 points to include both lower limbs when testing on the 0-5 scale grade system (not counting grade 1 and 2). A normal person obtains 40 points in each lower limb (total 80 points for both lower limbs). The following muscle functions shall be tested in lower limbs:
      
                                        Maximum
      Hip     Flexion             5
      Hip     Extension         5
      Hip     Abduction         5
      Hip     Adduction         5
      Knee  Flexion             5
      Knee  Extension         5
      Ankle  Dorsiflexion     5
      Ankle  Plantarflexion  5
      
      Total sum each lower limb = 40
      Total sum both lower limbs = 80
      
      b) Motor paresis or total paralysis of upper limbs:
      
      At least a decrease in muscle strength of 20 points to include both upper limbs when testing on the 0-5 scale grade system (not counting grade 1 and 2). A normal person obtains 60 points in each upper limb (total 120 points for both upper limbs). The following muscle functions in the arm and hand shall be tested:
      
      Exception for Sitting Volleyball where forearm supination and pronation are tested and given 10 extra points (70 points on one arm).
      
      Shoulder Flexion 5 Maximum
      Shoulder Extension 5 Maximum
      Shoulder Abduction 5 Maximum
      Shoulder Adduction 5 Maximum
      Elbow      Flexion 5 Maximum
      Elbow      Extension 5 Maximum
      Wrist       Dorsiflexion 5 Maximum
      Wrist       Volarflexion 5 Maximum
      Finger      Flexion (finger 2-5) at the metacarpo-phalangeal joints  5 Maximum
      Finger      Extension at the metacarpo-phalangeal joints 5 Maximum
      Thumb     Opposition 5 Maximum
      Thumb     Extension 5 Maximum
      
      Total sum each upper limb = 60
      Total sum both upper limbs = 120
      
      c) joint mobility:
      
      The testing to be performed with the help of goniometer (passive movements).
      
      Hips:  Decrease in flexion-extension of 60 degrees or ankylosis. 
      Knee:  Extension defect of 30 degrees or ankylosis in any position. 
      Ankle:  Ankylosis 
      Shoulder:  Arm can be elevated to 135 degrees only, or ankylosis in any position. 
      Elbow: Extension defect of 45 degrees or ankylosis in any position. 
      Wrist: Ankylosis 
      
      Note: These restrictions should apply to the joints which are important in each particular sport, see special medical conditions in each sport.
      
      d) Shortening of one lower limb:
      
      At least 7cm difference. (Measurements to be taken from anterior superior iliac spine to medial malleolus on same side.)
      
      e) Back and torso:
      
      Severely reduced mobility of a permanent nature and/or as in scoliosis measuring over 60 degrees curve as measured by the Cobb method. X-ray proof is necessary.
      
      f) Dwarfs
      
      The maximum height for a dwarf to meet minimum disability is 4 feet 9 inches or 145 sono meters. The athlete must exhibit other disabilities besides being of small stature therefore excluding a pituitary dwarf.
      
      
3. Special medical conditions
   
   
4. 1. No individual with an endoprosthesis in a hip, knee or ankle joint may participate in a standing sport except archery, lawn bowling and shooting.
      
      Note 1: Competitors with progressive locomotive disabilities e.g. Multiple Sclerosis, must be classified at the site of each sanctioned competition.
      
      Note 2 : Example of conditions not eligible for Les Autres:
      
      Down syndrome or mongolism or persons with severely reduces mental capacity. Further persons with heart, chest, abdominal, skin, ear and eye diseases without locomotor disability.
      
      
      

Sitting - Classification

1. The classification on minimal disability will be fulfilled by at least one authorized Volleyball medical doctor.
   
   
2. In Sitting-Volleyball there is only a classification on minimal disability.
   
   
3. Volleyball Classification Card
   
   Each Volleyball athlete must hold a personal classification card. This card will be issued by the Volleyball Section before the start of the competition.
   
   
   1. Eligible for Competition
      
      
   2. Eligible for competition are those athletes with an amputation as defined in Part I with the following changes and additions.
      
      Upper Limb
      - Amputation of the first two fingers on two hands
      - Amputation of seven fingers or more on two hands
      - Amputation on one hand between the M-P joint and the wrist.
      
      Lower Limb
      - Amputation in Lisfranc joint on one foot
      - Amputation in Chopart joint on one foot
      
      
   3. Eligible for competition are "Les Autres" athletes with a minimal disability as defined in Part I with the following changes and additions.
      
      Upper Limb
      Shortening:  On one upper limb or more than 33%. The shortening must be real or functional in the distance between the acromion and the end of the longest finger as compared to the other limb.
      Muscle strength: Motor paresis or total paralysis of upper limb. At least a decrease in muscle strength of 20 points to include both upper limbs when testing onthe 0-5 scale grade system ( not counting 1 and 2).
      Note:Each upper limb obtains 70 points, including forearm supination and pronation. The muscle test of the fingers and thumb being considered.
      Joint mobility: The testing to be performed with the help of a goniometer.
      - Shoulder: Abduction and Flexion not more than 90 degrees
      - Elbow: Stiff in minimum 45 degrees flexion.
      
      Not eligible are athletes with a loss of muscle strength in the upper limb of:
      
      - 5m. points in supination (one side)
      - 5m. points in pronation (one side)
      - 5m. points in adduction (one side)
      - 20m. points in hand/wrist (one side)
      
      Lower Limb
      Shortening:  On one lower limb or 7 cms.
      Muscle strength: Motor paresis or total paralysis of lower limb. At least a decrease in muscle strength of 5 points to include both lower limbs when testing on the 0-5 scale grade system (not counting grade 1 and 2). Each lower limb obtains 40 points.
      Note:The athlete is not eligible if the loss is 5 muscle points on the:
      - dorsiflexion of the ankle ( one side)
      - flexion of the knee (one side)
      - flexion of the hip (one side)
      - adduction of the hip ( one side) 
      Joint mobility:   The testing to be performed with the help of a goniometer (passive movements).
      Hip:  Flexion decrease of 45 degrees. Abduction decrease of 30 degrees.
      Knee:  Flexion decrease of 45 degrees. Extension decrease of 45 degrees. Instability varus/vaigus of minimal 15 degrees. 
      Ankle: Plantar- and Dorsal flexion not more than 5 degrees.
      
   4. Eligible for competition are athletes from CP-ISRA and ISMWSF classification systems.
      
      
   5. Eligible for competition are those athletes with a permanent disability of the following examples:
      • dispalasia or luxation of the coxae
      • total endoprothesis of knee or hip(s)
      • circulation defect of lower limb(s)
      • pseudoarticulation of lower limb(s)
      • instability forward/backward of 1.5 cm of the knee
      • luxation of humeroscapular joint
        
        Note:
        Only two athletes with a disability as indicated in 3.3.3.4 per team are allowed to participate in an Official Volleyball Competition. Only one of these two athletes can be on the playing court at any time.
        
        The disabilities as listed in 3.3.4 are not limitative. The disability must be proven by an X-ray picture or medical report and handed over before the start of the competition to the authorized Volleyball Classifiers.