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4. Boccia

Eligible impairment types:

• Impaired muscle power
• Impaired passive range of movement
• Limb deficiency
• Athetosis
• Hypertonia
• Ataxia

Sport classes

There are four sport classes in boccia, BC1-4. All players compete in wheelchairs due to a loss of leg function and trunk stability, caused by a lack of muscle co-ordination and control.

BC1

Athletes in sport class BC1 have severe activity limitations affecting their legs, arms and trunk due to co-ordination impairments. They can grasp and throw the ball and do not use assistive devices. Athletes with some leg control are allowed to propel the ball with their foot.

BC2

Boccia players in sport class BC2 have better trunk control and arm function than the players in the BC1 and BC3 sport class. The abilities of their arms and hands often allow them to throw the ball overhand and underhand and with a variety of grasps.

BC3

Athletes competing in sport class BC3 have a significantly limited function in their arms and legs, and poor or no trunk control due to cerebral or non-cerebral origins. To help them propel the ball onto the court, they use a ramp and other assistive devices to roll the ball.

BC4

While the sport classes BC1-3 include athletes with hypertonia, athetosis or ataxia, sport class BC4 comprises athletes with impairments that have no cerebral origin. Among possible health conditions are muscular dystrophy, spinal cord injuries or amputations affecting all four limbs. Players throw the ball usually with a pendulum swing, sometimes using both hands and arms. They may use a glove to sustain their grip of the ball.