S10 (classification)
[3] The Yass Tribune defined this classification in 2007 as "Athletes with a significant range of muscular tone and movement".
The balance issues associated with this can make it more challenging to use a traditional starting position to enter the water.
[11][12][13] 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.
[13] People in this class use around 7% more oxygen to walk or run the same distance as someone without a lower limb amputation.
[17][18] They have fine motor control on their dominant side of the body, which can present as asymmetry when they are in motion.
[20] Because of the neuromuscular nature of their disability, CP7 and CP8 swimmers have slower start times than other people in their classes.
[5] The integrated classification system used for swimming, where swimmers with CP compete against those with other disabilities, is subject to criticisms has been that the nature of CP is that greater exertion leads to decreased dexterity and fine motor movements.
This puts competitors with CP at a disadvantage when competing against people with amputations who do not lose coordination as a result of exertion.
[25] People with lesions at the L4 to S2 who are complete paraplegics may have motor function issues in their gluts and hamstrings.
[30] Disabled Sports USA defined the functional definition of this class in 2003 as, "Have very good sitting balance and movements in the backwards and forwards plane.
Swimmers in this class lack full propulsion in their kicks because of a slight loss of function in one limb.
"[27] In Australia, this class means combined lower plus upper limb functional problems.
"[35] It can also mean in Australia that the athlete is "ambulant with moderately reduced function in one or both lower limbs.
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 for amputees in this class because the nature of the amputation could cause not physically visible alterations to the body.
[41] In Australia, to be classified in this category, athletes contact the Australian Paralympic Committee or their state swimming governing body.
Swimmers who have competed in this classification include Robert Welbourn, Michael Anderson,[45] Andre Brasil[45] and Anna Eames[45] who all won medals in their class at the 2008 Paralympics.
[45] American swimmers who have been classified by the United States Paralympic Committee as being in this class include Don Alexander, Abbie Argo, Noah Patton and David Prince.
