S6 (classification)
"[1][3] The class "...includes swimmers with short stature, amputations of both arms or moderate coordination problems on one side of their body.
[7] Prior to the 1990s, A1 and A5 were often grouped with other amputee classes in swimming competitions, including the Paralympic Games.
[9] The nature of a person's amputations in this class can affect their physiology and sports performance.
Common problems for intact upper limbs for people in this class include rotator cuffs tearing, shoulder impingement, epicondylitis and peripheral nerve entrapment.
To keep their oxygen consumption rate similar to people without lower limb amputations, they need to walk slower.
[10] People in this class use around 120% more oxygen to walk or run the same distance as someone without a lower limb amputation.
[10] 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] 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.
When their standing height and arm length are added together, the distance is equal to or less than 200 centimetres (79 in).
[24] People with spinal cord injuries compete in this class, including F5 sportspeople.
[28][29] 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.
"[29] Swimming classification is done based on a total points system, with a variety of functional and medical tests being used as part of a formula to assign a class.
Part of this test involves the Adapted Medical Research Council (MRC) scale.
[32] S6 swimmers with spinal cord injuries tend to be complete paraplegics with lesions below T9 to L1 and where their leg function does not assist them in swimming.
S6 swimmers of this type have effect arm cycling and can use their hands and fingers to gain propulsion during the catch phase.
In 2003 the committee approved a plan which recommended the development of a universal classification code.
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.
[35] In the S6 50 m Freestyle Long Course, the men's world record is held by China's Xu Qing with a time of 00:29.78 and the women's world record is held by the Netherlands' Mirjam de Koning-Peper with a time of 00:34.94.
[42] As part of the water test, swimmers are often required to demonstrate their swimming technique for all four strokes.
[44] 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.
[19] In Australia, to be classified in this category, athletes contact the Australian Paralympic Committee or their state swimming governing body.
