Wheelchair athletics
Wheelchair athletics collectively describes several athletics disciplines that the physically handicapped can exercise with a wheelchair . These include wheelchair racing , discus and javelin throwing, shot put and pentathlon.
Sports equipment
The modern wheelchairs used by athletes are particularly light, aerodynamic and often have three instead of two wheels. The wheelchairs are "tailored to the body" of the athletes in order to meet the increased requirement profile.
In technical disciplines, special "technician's chairs" are used, which are firmly anchored to the floor with lashing straps. All wheelchairs are custom-made and are specially adapted for the respective sport. For example, javelin wheelchairs have a holder bar for the javelin and discus and ball wheelchairs have armrests to compensate for the lack of trunk motor skills.
Competitions
There are special competitions in different classes for wheelchair athletes. Athletes can compete in regional competitions, nationwide competitions, competitions at the federal level, for example German championships, or international competitions. The international competitions include European championships, world championships and the Paralympic Games. Since athletics is a Paralympic sport, the world's best athletes meet there every four years.
See also: Disabled Sports
Individual evidence
- ^ German Wheelchair Sports Association eV: Athletics. In: www.drs.org. Retrieved June 14, 2016 .
- ↑ Athletics. In: www.vbrs-mv.de. Retrieved June 14, 2016 .
