European Journal of Adapted Physical Activity 17, 13 (2024) | DOI: 10.5507/euj.2024.010

The Invictus Games Categorisation System: A framework for adapted sports

Helen Blamey1,2,, Janet Lawson3, Celina H. Shirazipour4
1 Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
2 Invictus Games Foundation, London, UK
3 School of Kinesiology and Health Studies, Queen’s University, Ontario, Canada
4 Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, California, USA
5 David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, California, USA

Categorisation (also called classification) systems are a fundamental part of adapted sports. While current systems seek to promote fair participation, they may also conversely prevent individuals experiencing diverse and complex physical and psychological illnesses and injuries from engaging in adapted sports. Drawing on the experiences and perspectives of stakeholders working with the Invictus Games Foundation, this paper describes the Invictus Games categorisation system, an innovative framework for non-elite adapted sport competition that seeks to integrate individuals experiencing these diverse conditions. We review (a) the development of the categorisation system; (b) the categorisation process; and (c) the training of categorisers. The paper further highlights how these developments were influenced by recent advances in our understanding of the impact of pain-based impairments as well as psychological illnesses and injuries. Additionally, we present critical implications for organisations seeking to develop or refine categorisation systems to expand access to non-elite adapted sport competition. Our aim is for this paper to serve as a practical guide for stakeholders, researchers and practitioners.

Keywords: adaptive sport; competition; military personnel; rehabilitation; veteran; physical; sensory; psychological illnesses; injuries

Received: November 28, 2023; Revised: August 28, 2024; Accepted: October 25, 2024; Published online: November 29, 2024  Show citation

ACS AIP APA ASA Harvard Chicago Chicago Notes IEEE ISO690 MLA NLM Turabian Vancouver
Blamey, H., Lawson, J., & Shirazipour, C.H. (2024). The Invictus Games Categorisation System: A framework for adapted sports. European Journal of Adapted Physical Activity, 17, Article 13. https://doi.org/10.5507/euj.2024.010
Share...
Download citation
  • BibTeX (.bib)
  • Bookends (.ris)
  • EasyBib (.ris)
  • EndNote (.enw)
  • EndNote 8 (.xml)
  • ISI WoS (.isi)
  • Medlars (.medlars)
  • Mendeley (.ris)
  • MODS (.xml)
  • Papers (.ris)
  • RefWorks (.txt)
  • RefManager (.ris)
  • RIS (.ris)
  • MS Word (.xml)
  • Zotero (.ris)
    • Open full article

    References

    1. Afari, N., Harder, L. H., Madra, N. J., Heppner, P. S., Moeller-Bertram, T., King, C., & Baker, D. G. (2009). PTSD, combat injury, and headache in Veterans Returning from Iraq/Afghanistan. Headache, 49(9), 1267-1276. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1526-4610.2009.01517.x Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    2. Blamey, H. (2019). Increasing inclusivity of para sport categorisation systems does not disadvantage eligible IPC competitors in non-elite settings. Presented at the British Association of Sport and Exercise Medicine. Glasgow, UK.
    3. Bundon, A., Ashfield, A., Smith, B., & Goosey-Tolfrey, V. L. (2018). Struggling to stay and struggling to leave: The experiences of elite para-athletes at the end of their sport careers. Psychology of Sport & Exercise, 37, 296-305. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2018.04.007 Go to original source...
    4. Clifford, J. L., Fowler, M., Hansen, J. J., Cheppudira, B., Nyland, J. E., Salas, M. M., McGhee, L. L., Petz, L. N., & Loyd, D. R. (2014). State of the science review: Advances in pain management in wounded service members over a decade at war. Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery, 77(3) S228-S236. https://journals.lww.com/jtrauma/Fulltext/2014/09002/State_of_the_science_review__Advances_in_pain.30.aspx Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    5. Ellis, B., Ly, M., Steinberger, S., & Chown, A. (2021). Chronic Pain in England: Unseen, Unequal and Unfair. https://versusarthritis.org/media/23739/chronic-pain-report-june2021.pdf
    6. Fear, N. T., Jones, M., Murphy, D., Hull, L., Iversen, A. C., Coker, B., Machell, L., Sundin, J., Woodhead, C., Jones, N., Greenberg, N., Landau, S., Dandeker, C., Rona, R. J., Hotopf, M., & Wessely, S. (2010). What are the consequences of deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan on the mental health of the UK armed forces? A cohort study. The Lancet, 375(9728), 1783-1797. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(10)60672-1 Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    7. Fitzgerald, H. (2018). Disability and barriers to inclusion. In I. Brittain & A. Beacom (Eds.), The Palgrave Handbook of Paralympic Studies (pp. 55-70). Palgrave Macmillan UK. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-47901-3_4 Go to original source...
    8. Gutiérrez-Sanmartín M., & Caus-Pertegáz N. (2006) Análisis de los motivos para la participación en actividades físicas de personas con y sin discapacidad. [Analysis of participation incentives in physical activities among people with and without disabilities] RICYDE Rev. Int. Cienc. Deporte, 2, 49-64. https://doi.org/10.5232/ricyde2006.00204 Go to original source...
    9. Hendrick, A., Binks, E., Ferguson, N., & Di Lemma, L. (2024). Unveiling the Influence of Competitive Sports on the Sense of Self and Identity of Disabled Veterans: A Systematic Review and Mixed-Methods Synthesis. Identity, 24(3), 194-212. https://doi.org/10.1080/15283488.2024.2346257 Go to original source...
    10. Higgins, D. M., Kerns, R. D., Brandt, C. A., Haskell, S. G., Bathulapalli, H., Gilliam, W., & Goulet, J. L. (2014). Persistent pain and comorbidity among Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation New Dawn Veterans. Pain Medicine, 15(5), 782-790. https://doi.org/10.1111/pme.12388 Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    11. Horowitz, S. (2013). Treating Veterans' chronic pain and mental health disorders: An integrative, patient-ceentered approach. Alternative and Complementary Therapies, 19(3), 133-138. https://doi.org/10.1089/act.2013.19305 Go to original source...
    12. Howe, P. D. (2008). The tail is wagging the dog: Body culture, classification and the Paralympic Movement. Ethnography, 9(4), 499-517. https://doi.org/10.1177/1466138108096989 Go to original source...
    13. Howe, P. D. (2011). Cyborg and supercrip: The Paralympics technology and the (dis)empowerment of disabled athletes. Sociology, 45(5), 868-882. https://doi.org/10.1177/0038038511413421 Go to original source...
    14. Invictus Games Foundation. (2018). Sydney 2018. https://www.invictusgames2018.com/
    15. IPC. (2015). Athlete Classification Code. [PDF file]. https://www.paralympic.org/classification-code
    16. Jaarsma, E. A., Dijkstra, P. U., Geertzen, J. H., & Dekker, R. (2014). Barriers to and facilitators of sports participation for people with physical disabilities: A systematic review. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 24(6), 871-881. https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.12218 Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    17. Lawson, J. A., Rock, M. M., & Latimer-Cheung, A. E. (2021). Preliminary results of a scoping review of parasport classification resources. Journal of Exercise, Movement, & Sport. 52(1). https://www.scapps.org/jems/index.php/1/article/view/2599
    18. Lawson, J. A., Williams, T. L., & Latimer-Cheung, A. E. (2022). Classification in parasport: Exploring athletes' and classifiers' understanding of and experiences with classification. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 43. https://doi.org/10.1080/2159676X.2022.2152084 Go to original source...
    19. Law, M. (2002). Participation in the occupations of everyday life. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 56(6), 640-649. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.56.6.640 Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    20. Legg, D., & Steadward, R. (2011). The Paralympic Games and 60 Years of Change (1948-2008): Unification and restructuring from a disability and medical model to sport-based competition. Sport in Society, 14(9), 1099-1115. http://doi.org/10.1080/17430437.2011.614767 Go to original source...
    21. Martin, J. J. (2013). Benefits and barriers to physical activity for individuals with disabilities: a social-relational model of disability perspective. Disability & Rehabilitation, 35(24), 2030-2037. https://doi.org/10.3109/09638288.2013.802377 Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    22. Martin Ginis, K. A., Ma, J. K., Latimer-Cheung, A. E., & Rimmer, J. H. (2016). A systematic review of review articles addressing factors related to physical activity participation among children and adults with physical disabilities. Health Psychology Review, 10(4), 478-494. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17437199.2016.1198240 Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    23. Patatas, J. M., De Bosscher, V., Derom, I., & De Rycke, J. (2020). Managing parasport: An investigation of sport policy factors and stakeholders influencing para-athletes' career pathways. Sport Management Review, 23(5), 937-951. https://doi.org/10.1016/j. smr.2019.12.004 Go to original source...
    24. Peers, D. (2009). (Dis)empowering Paralympic histories: Absent athletes and disabling discourses. Disability & Society, 24(5), 653-665. https://doi.org/10.1080/09687590903011113 Go to original source...
    25. Purdue, D., & Howe, P. (2013). Who's in and who is out? Legitimate bodies within the Paralympic Games. Sociology of Sport Journal, 30(1), 24-40. https://doi.org/10.1123/ssj.30.1.24 Go to original source...
    26. Schantz, O., & Gilbert, K. (2012). The Paralympic Movement: Empowerment or disempowerment for people with disabilities? In H.J. Lenskyj & S. Wagg (Eds.), The Palgrave Handbook of Olympic Studies (pp. 358-380). Palgrave Macmillan UK. https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230367463_23 Go to original source...
    27. Schneiderman, A. I., Braver, E. R., & Kang, H. K. (2008). Understanding sequelae of injury mechanisms and mild traumatic brain injury incurred during the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan: Persistent post-concussive symptoms and posttraumatic stress disorder. American Journal of Epidemiology, 167(12), 1446-1452. https://doi.org/10.1093/aje/kwn068 Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    28. Shirazipour, C. H., Aiken, A. B., & Latimer-Cheung, A. E. (2017, September). Exploring the role of adaptive sport in the support and care of Invictus Games competitors and their families. Paper presented at the 8th Annual Military and Veteran Health Research Forum, Toronto, ON, September 25-27, 2017.
    29. Shirazipour, C.H., Mayhew, E., Capaldi, J., Luna-Lupercio, B., Huynh, N., Cui, Y., Calsavara, V., Diniz, M., Evans. M.B., Latimer-Cheung, A.E., & Aiken, A.B. (2024). Beyond the Finish Line. https://s31949.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/Beyond-the-Finish-Line_ONLINE-COPY_FINAL.pdf
    30. Special Olympics. (2022). Our mission. https://www.specialolympics.ca/about/mission
    31. Statistics Canada (2023). Canadian Survey on Disability: 2017 to 2022. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/231201/dq231201b-eng.htm
    32. Tweedy, S. M., Beckman, E. M., & Connick, M. J. (2014). Paralympic Classification: Conceptual basis, current methods, and research update. PM&R, 6(8S), S11-S17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmrj.2014.04.013 Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    33. Tweedy, S. M., & Vanlandewijck, Y. C. (2011). International Paralympic Committee position stand - background and scientific principles of classification in Paralympic Sport. BJSM, 45(4), 259-269. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsm.2009.065060 Go to original source... Go to PubMed...

    This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0), which permits use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original publication is properly cited. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.


    Return to the content