The Categories of Disability Within Cycling:
The following is from the UCI (international governing body of cycling) and is the technical definition of the various categories of disability cycling. It may serve to help you define what category you fall in to.
Blind and Visually Impaired (B & VI)
Class profiles - from no light perception in either eye up to visual acuity of 6/60 and/or visual field of less than 20 degrees. This minimum equates to
IBSA class B3. Classification assessed in the best eye with the best correction (i.e. all athletes who use contact or corrective lenses must wear them for classification, whether they intend to wear them in competition or not).
Locomotor disabilities (LC)
Class LC 1 - This class is essentially for athletes having minor or no lower limb disabilities.
Class profiles - any one of the following:
a) amputation of more than half-foot (= forefoot);
b) decrease in muscle strength or ankylosis (arthrodesis) in one lower limb of between 10 and 14 points, or isolated paralysis in muscles quadriceps femoris or triceps surrae;
c) leg length difference of 7-12 cm;
d) amputation or paralysis of one upper limb, with or without artificial handgrip, or decrease in muscle strength of one upper limb of more than 20 points;
e) In the case of upper limb amputation or dysmelia the minimal disability is met if all fingers and the thumb of one hand are missing or without functional grip. As proof of the loss of functional grip, the affected athletes will not be able to operate handlebar mounted gear and brake levers with the disabled limb;
f) deformations of the spine, such that riding in a normal aerodynamic position is not possible.
Class LC 2 - This class is essentially for athletes with disabilities in one leg, but who are able to pedal normally using 2 legs, with or without prostheses.
Class profiles - any one of the following:
a) single above- or below-knee amputation with prosthesis;
b) decrease in muscle strength in one lower limb of 15-24 points;
c) leg length difference of more than 12 cm;
d) restricted flexion of knee of up to between 51 and 80 degrees;
e) amputation or paralysis of both upper limbs with artificial handgrips on one or both sides (e.g. prosthesis, orthesis, Krukenberg, etc.);
f) disabilities as described in a)-d) above, with or without upper limb disability.
Class LC 3 - This class is essentially for athletes with disabilities on one lower limb, with or without upper limb disability. Most athletes pedal with one leg.
Class profiles - any one of the following:
a) single above - or below-knee amputation without prosthesis. If a prosthesis is used, the radius of rotation of the pedal on the amputated side is 0 (zero), or not more than 6 cm;
b) one lower limb not functional for normal pedalling, for example:
flexion of the knee is less than 50 degrees;
radius of rotation of one pedal is not more than 6 cm.
c) decrease in muscle strength in both lower limbs a total of 25-39 points;
d) double below-knee amputation with prostheses;
e) stiff hip joint, such that the fixed or maximum flexion is less than 30 degrees and that the radius of rotation of the pedal on the stiffened side is 0 (zero), or not more than 6 cm.
Class LC 4 - This class is essentially for athletes with more severe disabilities usually affecting both lower limbs, with or without upper limb disability.
Class profiles - any one of the following:
a) double above-knee amputation, with one or two prostheses;
b) single above-knee amputation, plus amputation of upper limb, without leg prosthesis and holding the handlebar with only one hand;
c) combination of above-knee and below-knee amputation, with one or two
prostheses;
d) double below-knee amputation, with prosthesis only on one side;
e) decrease in muscle strength in both lower limbs a total of at least 40 points.
Cerebral Palsy (CP):
CP division 4 is for the least severely disabled athletes, who race on bicycles.
Class profiles as follows:
Class 8:
a) minimally affected diplegic with spasticity Grade 1;
b) truly ambulant hemiplegic with spasticity Grade 1;
c) monoplegics and minimal athetoids;
d) possible loss of function by uncoordinated hands or one leg.
Class 7:
a) truly ambulant hemiplegic with spasticity Grades 3 to 2 in one half of the body. May walk with a limp;
b) hand and arm control only affected on non-dominant side.
CP divisions 3 & 2 These two divisions provide athletes with a choice of racing on bicycles in division 3, or tricycles in division 2.
Class profiles as follows:
Class 6:
a) athetosis the most prevalent factor, although some ambulant spastic quadriplegics (i.e. more arm involvement than ambulant diplegics);
b) ambulant moderate athetoid or ataxic, control problems in upper limbs is usual;
c) athletes with balance problems and difficulty with seated balance and control, may chose to use tricycles;
d) athetoid athletes will have uncoordinated walking gait and difficulty with athetoid movement of all limbs;
e) Grasp and release and coordination of hand(s) will be moderately to severely affected. Class 5:
a) symmetric or asymmetric moderate diplegic;
b) may require assistive device for walking, dynamic balance may be affected;
c) lower spasticity Grade 3 to 2 in one or both legs;
d) moderate to minimal limitation in upper extremities with normal strength.
CP division 1 is for the more severely disabled athletes who race on tricycles.
Class profiles as follows:
Classes 4 - 1:
a) severe to moderate locomotor dysfunction of at least three extremities;
b) poor functional strength in trunk and all extremities;
c) spasticity Grade 4 to 3;
d) dynamic control and synchronisation is poor;
e) trunk rotation is fair to poor;
f) balance for cycling is poor to fair;
g) athletes will require assistance with mounts and starts.
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Handcycling (HC):
HC division A is for the more severely disabled athletes with complete loss of trunk and lower limb function, together with other severe and complex disabilities.
Class profiles as follows:
Class HC 1:
a) tetraplegic with disabilities corresponding to a complete cervical lesion at C7/C8 or above;
b) limited handgrip;
c) thermo-regulatory system limitations;
d) impaired sympathetic nerve system
Class HC 2:
a) non-spinal cord injury, but functional ability profile equivalent to class HC 1.
HC division B is for athletes with complete loss of lower limb function and limited trunk stability.
Class profiles as follows:
Class HC 3:
a) paraplegic with disabilities corresponding to a complete lesion from Th1 to Th3;
b) very limited trunk stability;
c) impaired sympathetic nerve system .
Class HC 4:
a) paraplegic with disabilities corresponding to a complete lesion from Th4 to Th9/Th10;
b) limited trunk stability.
Class HC 5:
a) non-spinal cord injury, but functional ability profile equivalent to class HC 3/4.
HC division C is for athletes with complete lower limb function loss, but minimal other functional disabilities, or partial lower limb function loss combined with other disabilities to make conventional cycling not viable.
Class profiles as follows:
Class HC 6:
a) paraplegic with disabilities corresponding to a complete lesion from Th11 to L4;
b) no lower limb function, or limited function;
c) normal, or almost normal trunk stability.
Class HC 7:
a) non-spinal cord injury, but functional ability profile equivalent to class HC 6
Class HC 8:
a) double above knee amputee;
b) single leg amputation, with other disabilities, which prevent the safe us
e of a conventional bicycle or tricycle;c) incomplete loss of lower limb function, with other disabilities, which prevent the safe use of a conventional bicycle or tricycle.
In class HC 8 the eligibility for handcycling will be established by comparing the athletes disabilities with the functional profiles of the appropriate conventional cycling classification. Documentation to prove the medical need to use a handcycle shall be required and the decision of the IPC cycling classifier shall be final.
