T44 (classification)
"[1] The Australian Paralympic Committee defines this classification as being for athletes who have the "Single leg below knee amputation.
[10] People in this class use a three-part prosthetic limb when competing in athletics: a socket, a shank, and a foot.
[11] Inside the class, shank length does not impact the distance that male long jumpers can jump.
[7][15][16] 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.
[16] People in this class use around 7% more oxygen to walk or run the same distance as someone without a lower limb amputation.
In some cases, prolonged heel contact or knees remaining fulling extended is a problem with training prosthesis use.
Uneven length strides can be a result of problems with hip flexion or insecurity about their walk, both of which can be corrected by physical therapy.
[7][16] 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.
[16] They are also more prone to injuries including rotator cuffs tearing, shoulder impingement, epicondylitis and peripheral nerve entrapment.
[6][18] In general, Les Autres classes cover sportspeople with locomotor disabilities regardless of their diagnosis.
[6][25] Sportspeople in this class use wheelchairs on a regular basis as a result of reduced muscle function.
[25] Medically, this class includes people with hemiparsis, and hip and knee stiffness with deformation in one arm.
[26] For the 1984 Summer Paralympics, LAF3 was defined by the Games organizers as, "Wheelchair bound with normal arm function and good sitting balance.
[30] In 1997 in the United States, this class was ambulant for field events It was for people with reduced function in their lower limbs or who had balance problems.
[32] Medically, this class includes people with contracture of the hip or knee, paresis of one arm, or kyphoscoliosis.
"[33] In Australia, this class means combined lower plus upper limb functional problems.
"[37] It can also mean in Australia that the athlete is "ambulant with moderately reduced function in one or both lower limbs.
[37] Field events open to this class have included shot put, discus and javelin.
[47] People in this class who are lower limb amputees are required to wear their leg prosthesis when they are on the track, and they must run.
[47] People with arm amputations in this class can have elevated padded blocks to place their stumps on for the start of the race.
The classification was created by the International Paralympic Committee and has roots in a 2003 attempt to address "the overall objective to support and co-ordinate the ongoing development of accurate, reliable, consistent and credible sport focused classification systems and their implementation.
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.
[50] 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.
[57] United States runner Jerome Singleton is a strong competitor in the 100m event, winning at the IPC Athletics World Championships in 2011.
[58] Richard Browne currently holds the T44 100m world record after coming second to Alan Oliveira with a time of 10.75 at the Paralympic Anniversary Games in London on 28 July 2013.
[59] Other notable competitors in this class include Arnu Fourie and David Prince, who hold T44 200m and 400m world records respectively.
German world record holder Markus Rehm with an 8.24m long jump was the first T44 athlete who won a national able-bodied competition, in consequence causing discussions about possible advantages of prosthesis techniques.
