Wheelchair Basketball Concept for Class 1-2 Players

For years now wheelchair basketball has been around as a sport that has grown in popularity. In fact years ago I remember watching an episode if Saved By The Bell that featured a wheelchair basketball game and a wheelchair using girl who dated Zack Morris. But I’m getting a little off subject here. Like any other sport, new and improved equipment can make the game better, safer, and more enjoyable. Designer Shane Gross of Detroit has proposed a wheelchair concept to improve the performance of Class 1-2 wheelchair basketball players.

Different Abilities
For those who are unfamiliar with wheelchair basketball, there are different classes of athlete that are dependent on the player’s disability. Here is a description of the classes from Disabled World:

Wheelchair basketball rules include player classifications as follows.

Class I – Complete motor loss at T-7 or above or comparable disability where there is total loss of muscle function originating at or above T 7.

Class II – Complete motor loss originating at T-8 and descending through and including L-2 where there may be motor power of hips and thighs. Also included in this class are amputees with bilateral hip disarticulation.

Class III – All other physical disabilities as related to lower extremity paralysis or paresis originating at or below L-3. All lower extremity amputees are included in this class except those with bilateral hip disarticulation (see Class II).

Class 1-2 Abilities
Gross learned of these different classes after interviewing and observing  wheelchair basketball players from the University of Illinois. There he also learned of some of the advantages and disadvantages between the classes. The main disadvantages of Class 1-2 players is a limited range of motion and ability to use leverage for thrust. Not being able to lean far forward means less thrust. Not being able to lean far sideways means limited range.

Back to Center
To make up for these limitations he came up with a wheelchair with a flexible harness. This harness both stabilizes the body and gives the upper torso an increased range of motion. When going forward, the player can lean forward farther which gives more thrust to the wheels. The harness then pulls the torso back towards an upright position. Same goes for when the player leans to one side or the other. The harness will reposition the players torso back to center.

Conclusion
Gross’s basketball wheelchair for Class 1-2 players has a relatively simple concept that can lead to big results on the court. His concept can allow a player to lean further for extra thrust and range. Little things like this can make a difference to one’s game. To see more of Shane Gross’s portfolio visit www.ShaneGross.com.