F55 (classification)
Different disability groups compete in this class, including people with spinal cord injuries.
The classification was previously known as lower 3, upper 4. International Paralympic Committee defined this classification on their website in July 2016, "Athletes have full function of the arms and partial to full trunk muscle power.
"[1] The Spectator Guide for the Rio Paralympics defines the class as, "wheelchair athletes (effects of polio, spinal cord injuries and amputations)"[2] People competing in the seated position in this class generally have good balance, good trunk rotations and can move their upper body backwards and forwards.
[5][8] 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).
[5] 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.
[4][9] In general, Les Autres classes cover sportspeople with locomotor disabilities regardless of their diagnosis.
[4] There was a large range of sportspeople with different disabilities in this class at the 1984 Summer Paralympics.
[4][16] Sportspeople in this class use wheelchairs on a regular basis as a result of reduced muscle function.
[16] Medically, this class includes people with hemiparsis, and hip and knee stiffness with deformation in one arm.
[18] For the 1984 Summer Paralympics, LAF3 was defined by the Games organizers as, "Wheelchair bound with normal arm function and good sitting balance.
"[19] People with spinal cord injuries compete in this class, including F5 sportspeople.
[20][22] Disabled Sports USA defined the anatomical definition of this class in 2003 as, "Normal upper limb function.
They cannot have functional hip flexors, i.e. ability to lift the thigh upwards in the sitting position.
"[20] Field events open to this class have included shot put, discus and javelin.
[20] F5 athletes throw from a seated position, and use a javelin that weighs .6 kilograms (1.3 lb).
[26] The shot put used by women in this class weighs less than the traditional one at 3 kilograms (6.6 lb).
It found there was little significant difference in performance in distance between women in 2 (SP4) and 3 in the shot put.
It found there was little significant difference in performance in distance between men in 2 (SP4) and 3 in the shot put.
It found there was little significant difference in performance in distance between men in 3 and 4 in the shot put.
It found there was little significant difference in performance in distance between women in 4, 5 and 6 in the shot put.
It found there was little significant difference in performance in distance between men in 4, 5 and 6 in the shot put.
Rests can be used on the frame but they need to be present only for safety reasons and to aide in athlete stability.
For other events, organizers generally have the option to use that formula to give all throwers six consecutive throws.
Because of functionality issues, in the shot put, athletes tend to use rotary movements.
This policy was put into place in 2014, with the goal of avoiding last minute changes in classes that would negatively impact athlete training preparations.
All competitors needed to be internationally classified with their classification status confirmed prior to the Games, with exceptions to this policy being dealt with on a case-by-case basis.
[34] 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.
[38][39] The classification system takes several things into account when putting people into this class.
