Co-led by Professor Vicky Tolfrey and Dr Thomas Rietveld of the Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport, the results of the research will help ensure the International Rules of the sport support female athletes and Wheelchair Rugby as a sport open to all genders.
WWR President Richard Allcroft said: “Our sport has had a competition rule for many years allowing an increase in points for each female athlete on court and it was accepted that it was a good concept.
"The outcomes of the research now support our International Rules, and it demonstrates the importance of research in shaping projects and strategies. I'd like to thank the Peter Harrison Centre for their continued support with Wheelchair Rugby and the wider Paralympic Movement. I'd also like to thank our Member Nation, Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby for providing resources to allow this project to take place."
Dr Thomas Rietveld said: "Working towards evidence-based research in Wheelchair Rugby is essential for participation and equity. Our research has shown a disparity in muscle strength between females and males. This affects the ability to perform key Wheelchair Rugby performance activities, like blocking, picking, and hitting. It would be advised to reconsider the current competition rule for female Wheelchair Rugby players.”
In Wheelchair Rugby, teams of four players on court cannot exceed 8.0 classification points.
The World Wheelchair Rugby International Rule’s currently allows competing teams an additional 0.5 points for every female athlete on-court. Successful teams balance the roles of low-point (1.5 and below) and high-point (2.0 and above) athletes to ensure both defensive and offensive opportunities.
The sport of wheelchair rugby is open to all genders, and it is important that athletes are not considered to have reduced levels of classification. This undermines the classification system and in many cases an athlete’s ability.
For more information on the study, visit the Peter Harrison Centre website: /research/phc/impact/female-participation-wheelchair-rugby/
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