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Para-swimming classification is a function-based classification system designed to allow for fair competition in disability swimming. The classes are prefixed with "S" for freestyle, butterfly and backstroke events, "SB" for breaststroke and "SM" for individual medley events. Swimmers with physical disabilities are divided into ten classes based on their degree of functional disability. Those with visual impairments are placed in three additional classes. A final class, S14, is reserved for swimmers with intellectual disabilities. Swimming was one of the first organised sports for people with disabilities, and was contested at the first Summer Paralympics in 1960. Both the rules for the sport and approval of classifications were the responsibility of the Fédération International de Natation Amateur (FINA) until 1992, when the International Paralympic Committee took over the governance of classification. As of 2012, people with visual, physical and intellectual disabilities are eligible to compete in the sport. The classification system was originally based on medical criteria, but has since moved to one largely based on functional disability to make para-swimming more competitive. The sport is currently moving towards an evidence-based classification system. ==Definition== Para-swimming classification is based on a system in which functional criteria are assessed. Athletes who have different physical disabilities may compete in the same class so long as their functional impairments are similar. In swimming, amputations of the arms below the elbow have a significant impact on functional ability. As a result, swimming classifications differ from athletics classifications. Swimmers are divided into ten classes based on degree of functional disability: S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6, S7, S8, S9 and S10. The most severely affected are in class S1; these swimmers are normally use wheelchairs outside of the pool. Classes are prefixed with the letter "S" for freestyle, butterfly and backstroke events, while those prefixed with "SB" are for breaststroke, and those with "SM" for individual medley events.〔 This is because different strokes require the use of different muscle groups. In the case of the breaststroke, for example, the hand and the hip play a crucial role. Because of this, a swimmer may compete in one class for one stroke and a different class for another.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=A-Z of Paralympic classification )〕 It also means that swimmers with cerebral palsy, spinal cord injuries and limb deficiencies may compete against each other. There are three additional classes, S11, S12 and S13, for visually impaired swimmers. The lower number indicates a greater degree of impairment: class S11 swimmers are blind or nearly blind, and compete in blacked-out goggles.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Layman’s Guide to Paralympic Classification )〕 They each have a "tapper" who uses a pole or "bonker" to warn the swimmer that they are approaching the end of the pool.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Paralympic Swimming - overview, rules and classification )〕 The visual classifications are based on medical classification, and not on functional mobility. A final class, S14, is for intellectually disabled swimmers.〔 This class was dropped for the 2004 Summer Paralympics and the 2008 Summer Paralympics,〔 but was restored for the 2012 Summer Paralympics.〔 The general rules for Paralympic swimming are based on those intended for able-bodied competitors. The rules regarding strokes, turns and the length of time that swimmers may remain under water are similar to those for the Olympic Games.〔 Events take place in a standard 50m pool.〔 Swimmers may dive in or start in the water.〔 Swimmers may not use any assistive technology while competing. File:Wheelchair_rugby_profile_classification_C5.svg|Visualisation of functional mobility for a S1 competitor File:Wheelchair_rugby_profile_classification_C5-6.svg|Visualisation of functional mobility for a S2 competitor File:B1 class.png|Visualisation of functional vision for a S11 competitor File:B2 class.png|Visualisation of functional vision for a S12 competitor File:B3 class.png|Visualisation of functional vision for a S13 competitor 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Para-swimming classification」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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