Boccia: How is it played?

Boccia: How is it played?

2018/09/18

Did you know that Boccia is currently the fastest growing Paralympic sport by participation?Boccia is probably the most accessible game in the world and the only one where able-bodied people can easily play alongside those with disabilities. The rules for Boccia are quite simple in principle, although more complexity is added when you compete at higher levels.

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Wheelchair fencing: types and regulations

Wheelchair fencing: types and regulations

2018/06/06

Wheelchair fencing can be practised by both men and women in wheelchairs, by amputees or by those with mild cerebral palsy. The same weapon categories apply to those used in classical fencing (foil, sabre or épée).The history of wheelchair fencing began in England in the 1950s at the Stoke Mandeville Hospital, where soldiers wounded in WW2 underwent recovery and rehabilitation.After its debut at the 1960 Rome Olympics, it soon became a very popular all-round adapted sport that required not only physical strength, but also precision, technique and style.

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How to play wheelchair hockey

How to play wheelchair hockey

2018/05/08

Although it is not considered a well-known sport on our shores just yet, power hockey is one of the adapted sports with the greatest appeal. One of its great advantages is that it is a team sport, which can be practiced by people with different degrees of disability, making it into an integrating and social activity, especially for those with severe disabilities.

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Sitting Volleyball: How is it played?

Sitting Volleyball: How is it played?

2018/04/19

Sitting volleyball was first introduced as a demonstration in the 1976 Toronto Paralympics Games having originated in The Netherlands in 1956. Four years later, The Netherlands introduced it as a competitive sport and it has since gained popularity in over 60 countries worldwide including Australia.As a version of the original 'standing’ volleyball, sitting volleyball is an energetic sport for people with or without physical disabilities. It is classified into two degrees of disabilities, disabled and minimum disability. The court is much smaller than the standing volleyball court measuring 6m x 10m with lowered nets – 1.15m for men and 1.05m for women. 

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Wheelchair tennis in major competitions

Wheelchair tennis in major competitions

2018/03/23

Tennis is one of the world’s most popular sports. Its adapted format differs mainly with specially designed wheelchairs (sometimes manual and sometimes powered), as well as the ball being allowed to bounce twice.The size of the court, the equipment (racket and ball) are just the same as in their Olympic namesake, as are the rest of the rules. In fact, the four Grand Slams all host wheelchair tennis as part of their official competitions.

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The Paralympic Winter Games – Have you tried out these sports?

The Paralympic Winter Games – Have you tried out these sports?

2018/03/13

The Paralympic summer games is not the only sport event worth watching – the winter games are equally exciting. Since 1976, they are held after the Olympic Winter Games. Para-skiing was the first discipline that was introduced. Throughout the years, the following sports were recognized as a Paralympic sport: para biathlon, para ice hockey, wheelchair curling, and para snowboard. Since these games are relatively young, the disciplines regularly change. For example, in the 2022 Paralympic Winter Games in Beijing, bobsleigh has been announced to be a new discipline.

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Paralympic sports: can you name the 22 disciplines?

Paralympic sports: can you name the 22 disciplines?

2018/02/19

Each Paralympic Games event sees some sports removed from the programme, with others being introduced, or often re-introduced. Cycling, horse riding, rowing, tennis, table tennis, archery and sailing were added to the programme for the London Games in 2012. In 2016 canoeing and para-triathlon were introduced for the Rio Paralympic Games. The 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo will include some familiar sports from recent games, along with a couple of new additions. How many of the Paralympic disciplines can you name?

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Wheelchair rugby: rules and adaptations

Wheelchair rugby: rules and adaptations

2018/01/15

Although its original name (“murderball”) can be misleading, wheelchair rugby is not a violent sport. Even so, being one of the adapted sports with most contact, it implies that there are several tactical and safety issues that players must be very clear about.

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Adapted swimming: curiosities of a very popular sport

Adapted swimming: curiosities of a very popular sport

2017/12/15

Adapted swimming is one of the most prominent Paralympic disciplines. The creation of more and more accessible pools have contributed to the popularisation of this complete and stimulating sport, one of the few with continuous presence since the first Paralympic Games of Rome in 1960.

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Sports and disability: paired together for an active life

Sports and disability: paired together for an active life

2017/10/20

Sport favours the rehabilitation, normalisation and integration of people with disabilities, as well as being a complement to an active life and a positive element in establishing a truly accessible society.But achieving this unity between sports and disability is not always easy. Adapted sports require the support of many people (supervisors, health professionals, other athletes, psychologists, therapists, etc.) to create sound infrastructures, and that is why it is so important to be aware of the benefits of pairing sports with disability.

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Wheelchair basketball: How is it played?

Wheelchair basketball: How is it played?

2017/09/17

Wheelchair basketball is one of the most well-adapted sports, and is also one of the most widespread in the world. It is estimated that there are currently wheelchair basketball leagues and competitions in 75 countries, which gives us a good idea of its degree of social integration and level of competitiveness.

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10 adapted sports for an active life

10 adapted sports for an active life

2017/08/04

Besides improving physical form, playing sports has a positive influence on psychological development and mood, which undoubtedly favours quality of life. This, coupled with the proliferation and formalisation of specific associations, federations and regulations, makes adapted sports more and more attractive among people with disabilities, who can practice them from amateur levels to competitive levels.

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