Original scientific paper

https://doi.org/10.26582/k.49.1.1

The international wheelchair basketball federation’s classification system: the participants’ perspective

Bartosz Molik ; The Jozef Pilsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw, Faculty of Rehabilitation, Poland
James J. Laskin ; The University of Montana, School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, Missoula, MT, USA
Amanda L. Golbeck ; The University of Montana, School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, Missoula, MT, USA
Andrzej Kosmol ; The Jozef Pilsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw, Faculty of Rehabilitation, Poland
Witold Rekowski ; The Jozef Pilsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw, Faculty of Rehabilitation, Poland
Natalia Morgulec-Adamowicz ; The Jozef Pilsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw, Faculty of Rehabilitation, Poland
Izabela Rutkowska ; The Jozef Pilsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw, Faculty of Rehabilitation, Poland
Jolanta Marszałek ; The Jozef Pilsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw, Faculty of Rehabilitation, Poland
Jan Gajewski ; Technical University of Madrid, Faculty of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, Madrid, Spain
Miguel-Angel Gomez orcid.org/0000-0002-9585-3158 ; The Jozef Pilsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw, Faculty of Physical Education, Poland

Abstract

The purpose of this exploratory study was to evaluate opinions of elite athletes, coaches and classifiers regarding the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation’s (IWBF) functional classification system. We were also interested in the athletes’ perspective regarding potential changes to the classification system. In addition, we compared the generalized opinions reported by the athletes to those of coaches and classification officers. This survey was administered during the Wheelchair Basketball Gold Cup (Amsterdam, 2006). Seventy-nine athletes, 50 men and 29 women, as well as 12 coaches and 14 classifiers completed the survey. The first part of the survey addressed demographic characteristics of the participants. The second part focused on their opinions regarding the current classification system. Based on the survey responses, athletes reported that the IWBF classification system is generally satisfactory. However, athletes as well as coaches and classification officers did report some specific concerns about this classification system. These concerns included changes in an athlete classification, athlete cheating and communication between classifiers and athletes. Athletes, coaches and classifiers, as the wheelchair basketball’s primary constituent groups, have a vested interest in the evolution of the game and should be included in the evaluation and modifications to the functional classification system. This study has demonstrated that a classification specific survey could
provide useful information and insight into the perspectives of these constituent groups.

Keywords

survey; disabled sports; athletes,; disabilities

Hrčak ID:

179108

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/179108

Publication date:

2.5.2017.

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