Do Impairments in Visual Functions Affect Skiing Performance?

Athletes' Perspectives of the Classification System in Para Alpine Skiing for Those With Visual Impairment

This study explored the classification experiences and views of Para Alpine skiers with visual impairment. Data from 11  interviews were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis to generate three themes: Suitability-The skiers questioned the suitability of the visual measurements, testing environment, and the information they received regarding classification; Exclusivity-Skiers felt certain aspects of the system remain exclusive due to the restrictions of sport classes and lack of the athlete voice; and (Dis)trust-Skiers felt distrust in those implementing the system and in other athletes due to intentional misrepresentation. Speculation surrounding this resulted in the skiers' feeling doubt in their own classification. While there is not a "one size fits all" approach to classification, understanding skiers' experiences can be a vital first step and will help to guide future research into the evolution of this sport's classification.

Profile of Athletes With a Vision Impairment: Exploring Demographics and Ocular Pathologies of Athletes in Three Paralympic Sports

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to explore the profile of athletes with a vision impairment who compete in three Paralympic sports (goalball, vision impairment judo, and blind football).

DESIGN

Descriptive and association analyses of the vision impairment athletes' profile were conducted.

RESULTS

The typical athlete profile was a male (65.1%), aged 26-34 yrs (39.7%), from Europe (38.8%), representing a country with a high income (46.1%), and was diagnosed with a retinal-related ocular pathology (38.9%). In all three sports, the ages of the athletes were similar. In goalball, most athletes were from Europe, represented countries with a high income, and were diagnosed with retinal-, globe-, or neurological-related pathologies. In vision impairment judo, the majority of athletes were from Asia, represented countries with an upper middle income, and were diagnosed with retinal-, global-, or neurological-related pathologies. In blind football, most athletes were from Europe, represented countries with an upper middle income, and were diagnosed with retinal-, neurological-related ocular pathologies, or glaucoma.

CONCLUSIONS

The homogeneity of the athletes' profile suggests that an effort is needed to target other parts of the vision impairment population to take part in vision impairment sports. Differences in the athletes' profiles across the sports provide information that may be useful for sport-specific talent identification.

The effects of simulated vision impairment on performance in football

Footballers with vision impairment (VI) are eligible to compete in the Para sport if they meet a minimum impairment criteria (MIC) based on measures of their visual acuity (VA) and/or visual field. Despite the requirements of the International Paralympic Committee Athlete Classification Code that each sport uses an evidence-based classification system, VI football continues to use a medical-based system that lacks evidence to demonstrate the relationship between impairment and performance in the sport. The aim of this study was to systematically simulate vision loss to establish the minimum level of impairment that would affect performance in futsal. Nineteen skilled sighted players completed tests of individual technical skill and anticipation performance under six levels of simulated blur that decreased both VA and contrast sensitivity (CS). VA needed to be reduced to a level of acuity that represents worse vision than that currently used for inclusion in VI football before meaningful decreases in performance were observed. CS did not have a clear effect on football performance. These findings produce the first evidence for the minimum impairment criteria in VI football and suggest a more severe degree of impairment may be required for the MIC.

Expert Views on Evidence-Based Classification for Goalball: A Delphi Study

Para sport classification aims to minimize the impact of impairments on the outcome of competition. The International Paralympic Committee requires classification systems to be evidence based and sport specific, yet the sport of goalball uses a structure that is not supported by evidence demonstrating its legitimacy for competition. This study aimed to establish expert opinions on how a sport-specific system of classification should be structured in the sport of goalball. Using a three-round Delphi survey, 30 international experts expressed their views across topics linked to goalball classification. Participants were divided as to whether the current system fulfills the aim to minimize the impact of impairment on competition. Most felt that less impairment should be required to compete but that the one-class structure should remain. Experts identified measures of visual function that should be considered and 15 core components of individual goalball performance. Findings constitute a crucial first step toward evidence-based classification in goalball.

Classification in Para skiing: do better performing skiers have better visual functions?

Introduction

Currently, Paralympic skiers with vision impairment are allocated to classes based only on their better eye static visual acuity and visual field diameter. These studies were conducted to investigate whether a broad range of visual functions were different among groups of skiers with different levels of skiing performance.

Methods

Static and dynamic visual acuities, contrast sensitivity, light and glare sensitivity, glare recovery, motion perception, and visual field were assessed binocularly in elite Para nordic (n = 26) and Para alpine skiers (n = 15) at 3 international Paralympic events. Skiing performances were calculated using modified skiing points systems based on skiers' raw race times. Clusters of skiers with similar performances were identified in each sport, and their vision and non-vision variables were compared.

Results

Skiers in the best performing Para nordic clusters (1 and 2) had better static visual acuities (p = 0.041) and larger visual fields (p = 0.004) compared to cluster 3. In Para alpine slalom (p = 0.019), giant slalom (p = 0.019), and Super-G (p = 0.039) the average static visual acuities among the better performing clusters were significantly better compared to the worst performing cluster. In slalom, the cluster with better performance also had a significantly larger visual field (p = 0.038). In downhill, the better performance cluster demonstrated better dynamic visual acuity (p = 0.029).

Discussion

Clusters with better performing skiers appear to have better visual function in both sports. The results of this study would suggest that Para nordic and Para alpine skiers with light perception or no light perception vision should be in one class and that the skiers with quantifiable static VA should be in a different class.

Evidence-based classification in golf for athletes with a vision impairment: A Delphi study

Vision-impaired (VI) golf is a global para-sport currently played under several different classification systems under different bodies. This study aimed to gather expert opinion to determine whether the current classification systems are fit for the purpose intended and to identify any particular issues where VI impacts the game of golf for the disabled (G4D). A panel of 20 participants with expertise in G4D took part in a three-round Delphi study. The panel agreed that the current classification system(s) for VI golf did not or only partially fulfilled the aim to minimise the impact of VI on the outcome of competition and that there should be one, internationally recognised, classification system. It was agreed that other metrics of VI, in addition to the measurement of visual acuity (VA), need to be considered. Intentional misrepresentation of VI was identified as a cause for concern. The panel agreed that the current classification system does not fully achieve its purpose. Any changes that are made to these classification systems need to be evidence based specific to VI golf. Further research is required to determine how measures of VI affect golfing performance and whether other metrics other than VA are required.

The Relationship Between Visual Function and Performance in Para Swimming

BACKGROUND

Paralympic swimmers with vision impairment (VI) currently compete in one of the three classes depending on their visual acuity (VA) and/or visual field. However, there is no evidence to suggest that a three-class system is the most legitimate approach for classification in swimming, or that the tests of VA and visual field are the most suitable. An evidence-based approach is required to establish the relationship between visual function and performance in the sport. Therefore, the aim of this study was to establish the relationship between visual function and performance in VI Para swimming. The swimming performance of 45 elite VI swimmers was evaluated during international competitions by measuring the total race time, start time, clean swim velocity, ability to swim in a straight line, turn time, and finish time. Visual function was measured using a test battery that included VA, contrast sensitivity, light sensitivity, depth perception, visual search, and motion perception.

RESULTS

Results revealed that VA was the best predictor of total race time (r = 0.40, p < 0.01), though the relationship was not linear. Decision tree analysis suggested that only two classes were necessary for legitimate competition in VI swimming, with a single cut-off between 2.6 and 3.5 logMAR. No further significant association remained between visual function and performance in either of the two resulting classes (all |rs|< 0.11 and ps > 0.54).

CONCLUSIONS

Results suggest that legitimate competition in VI swimming requires one class for partially sighted and another for functionally blind athletes.