A9 (classification)

Their amputations impact their sport performance, including energy costs, balance and potential for overuse of muscles.

A9 is an amputee sports classification for people who have a combination of amputations of the upper and lower extremities.

The nature of a person's amputations in this class can effect their physiology and sports performance.

[1][9] Because of the potential for balance issues related to having an amputation, during weight training, amputees are encouraged to use a spotter when lifting more than 15 pounds (6.8 kg).

[1] Lower limb amputations effect a person's energy cost for being mobile.

To keep their oxygen consumption rate similar to people without lower limb amputations, they need to walk slower.

Common problems with intact upper limbs for people in this class include rotator cuffs tearing, shoulder impingement, epicondylitis and peripheral nerve entrapment.

[1][10] IWAS was created following the merger of ISOD and International Stoke Mandeville Games Federation (ISMGF) in 2005.

People with amputations longer than 2/3rds the length of their thigh when wearing a prosthesis are generally 4.5 point players.

[8] Despite wheelchair basketball having been around since the first Paralympic Games, amputee players from this class were first allowed to be classified and participate internationally in 1983 following the creation of a functional classification system in Cologne, Germany by Horst Strokhkendl.

[19] Other sports people in this class are eligible to compete in include sitting volleyball[4] and lawn bowls.

[22] Sometimes the health examination may not be done on site because the nature of the amputation could cause not physically visible alterations to the body.

[24] For wheelchair basketball, part of the classification process involves observing a player during practice or training.