Physical impairments are conditions that affect a person's physical functioning and cause limitations in movements, mobility, dexterity, or stamina. In the context of Para Kickboxing, it is important to understand how physical impairments may impact an individual's ability to perform certain techniques or participate in the sport effectively. By recognizing and addressing physical impairments, coaches and practitioners can adapt training methods and techniques to accommodate different abilities.

Some common physical impairments that may be encountered in Para Kickboxing include amputations, paralysis, joint limitations, muscle weakness, and balance issues. Each of these impairments presents unique challenges and requires specific modifications to training and technique. Through proper assessment and individualized training plans, individuals with physical impairments can still engage in Para Kickboxing and experience the benefits of the sport.

Coaches and practitioners in Para Kickboxing should be knowledgeable about different types of physical impairments and how they can impact performance. By creating an inclusive and supportive training environment, individuals with physical impairments can feel empowered to participate fully in the sport and achieve their goals. Adaptations in equipment, techniques, and training methods can help individuals with physical impairments overcome challenges and excel in Para Kickboxing.

Physical impairments eligible in Para Sport are described below:

Impaired Muscle Power

Athletes with Impaired Muscle Power have a health condition that either reduces or eliminates their ability to voluntarily contract their muscles in order to move or to generate force.

Examples of an underlying health condition that can lead to Impaired Muscle Power include spinal cord injury (complete or incomplete, tetra- or paraplegia or paraparesis), muscular dystrophy, post-polio syndrome and spina bifida.

Impaired Passive Range of Movement (ROM)

Athletes with Impaired Passive Range of Movement have a restriction or a lack of passive movement in one or more joints.

Examples of an underlying health condition that can lead to Impaired Passive Range of Movement include throgryposis and contracture resulting from chronic joint immobilization or trauma affecting a joint.

Limb Deficiency

Athletes with Limb Deficiency have total or partial absence of bones or joints as a consequence of trauma (for example traumatic amputation), illness (for example amputation due to bone cancer) or congenital limb deficiency (for example dysmelia).

Leg Length Difference

Athletes with Leg Length Difference have a difference in the length of their legs as a result of a disturbance of limb growth, or as a result of trauma.

Short Stature

Athletes with Short Stature will have a reduced length in the bones of the upper limbs, lower limbs an/or trunk.

Examples of an underlying health condition that can lead to Short Stature include achondroplasia, growth hormone dysfunction, and osteogenesis imperfecta.

Hypertonia

Athletes with Hypertonia have an increase in muscle tension and a reduced ability of a muscle to stretch caused by damage to the central nervous system.

Examples of an underlying health condition that can lead to Hypertonia include cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury and stroke.

Ataxia

Athletes with Ataxia have uncoordinated movements caused by damage to the central nervous system.

Examples of an underlying health condition that can lead to Ataxia include cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, stroke and multiple sclerosis.

Athetosis

Athletes with Athetosis have continual slow involuntary movements.

Examples of an underlying health condition that can lead to Athetosis include cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury and stroke.

WAKO Para Kickboxing Specific Classification Categories for Para Kickboxers with a Physical Impairment:

P1 Wheelchair Lower body involvement

P2 Passive Range of Motion Ataxia and/or athetosis Deficiency in muscle power or hypertonia

P3 Limb deficiency or amputations Short

P4 Cerebral Palsy or general dystonia Standing

P5 Wheelchair or walker Lower and upper body involvement due to injury, illness or cerebral palsy

Athletes with a Physical Impairment who wish to compete in WAKO Para Kickboxing competitions should follow these steps to Classification.

1. Submit the national medical diagnostics form to the USA Para Kickboxing Director. The form should clearly define which of the eligible impairment(s) the athlete has and supporting documentation should be provided to verify the underlying health condition or origin of the impairment(s). The national medical diagnosis form must be submitted prior to attending a classification evaluation.

National Medical Diagnosis Form - Submit to USA Para Kickboxing Director, Ed Bavelock

2. Register for an event that has a national classification panel

2025 Classification Opportunities

3. Attend a classification evaluation. Classification takes place one or two days prior to competition and participation in the competition is required to complete classification. The evaluation process consists of:

a. Physical Assessment - a series of functional ability tests performed by a Medical Classifier

b. Technical Assessment - a series of practical ability tests observed by a Technical Classifier

c. Provisional Sport Class Allocated - Based on the results of both of the above tests, athletes are allocated a provisional sport class

d. Observation in Competition - This will confirm or alter the provisional sport class allocation

For information regarding the USA Para Kickboxing program in these sport development stages, contact Ed Bavelock via email at: [email protected] or 

https://courses.combatsportseducation.com/