F56 (classification)
Different disability groups compete in this class, including people with amputations and spinal cord injuries.
Events that may be on the program for F56 competitors include the discus throw, shot put and javelin.
International Paralympic Committee defined this classification on their website in July 2016, "Athletes have full arm and 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, can more their upper body backwards and forwards, but have limitations with trunk rotation.
[5] 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).
To keep their oxygen consumption rate similar to people without lower limb amputations, they need to walk slower.
[8] People in this class use around 120% more oxygen to walk or run the same distance as someone without a lower limb amputation.
[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][12] In general, Les Autres classes cover sportspeople with locomotor disabilities regardless of their diagnosis.
This is a standing class for people with weakness in one leg muscle or who have joint restrictions.
[4][21] Sportspeople in this class use wheelchairs on a regular basis as a result of reduced muscle function.
[21] Medically, this class includes people with hemiparsis, and hip and knee stiffness with deformation in one arm.
[22] For the 1984 Summer Paralympics, LAF3 was defined by the Games organizers as, "Wheelchair bound with normal arm function and good sitting balance.
"[23] People with spinal cord injuries compete in this class, including F6 sportspeople.
[24][26] People with lesions at L4 have issues with their lower back muscles, hip flexors and their quadriceps.
[27] People with lesions at the L4 to S2 who are complete paraplegics may have motor function issues in their gluts and hamstrings.
[29] People with lesions at L4 have trunk stability, can lift a leg and can flex their hips.
[30] Field events open to this class have included shot put, discus and javelin.
[24] F6 athletes throw from a seated position, and the javelin they use weighs .6 kilograms (1.3 lb).
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.
[35] Events that may be on the program for F56 competitors include the discus throw, shot put and javelin.
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.
[40] 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.
[7][44] The classification system takes several things into account when putting people into this class.
[45][46] Sportspeople competing in this class include Algeria's Nadia Medjmedj, and the United States' Angela Madsen.
