Assistive technology in sport

[2] Accordingly, assistive technology can be found in sports ranging from local community recreation to elite Paralympic games.

More complex assistive technology devices have been developed over time, and as a result, sports for people with disabilities "have changed from being a clinical therapeutic tool to an increasingly competition-oriented activity".

Some examples are: Sledge (sled) hockey; wheelchair basketball; adaptive sailing, with boats designed especially for sailors with disabilities; Nordic (cross-country) skiing with "sit-ski" buckets; and handcycling races.

Light-weight frames are a necessity for wheelchairs used in sports requiring sharp, fast turns and overall agility, such as tennis, basketball, and racing.

[8] Chairs with reinforced frames and impact protection are required for contact sports, such as wheelchair rugby or basketball.

[10] In 2008, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) began a worldwide debate when they established Rule 144.2(e), prohibiting the use of technical devices that offer a competitive advantage.

Organizations and associations at the national and international level support the development of adaptive sport and recreation, often through the use of assistive technology for players.