BC4

Athletes who are diagnosed with an Impairment of neuromusculoskeletal origin and do not present with hypertonia/spasticity/dyskinesia/ataxia as their primary impairment. World Boccia acknowledges that Athletes with Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) may have Spinal Spasticity as part of their physical presentation, but this must not be the primary impairment, and Athletes must meet the Minimum Impairment Criteria as detailed below.

87.1 BC4 Profile The Athlete has muscle strength of Grade 3/5 or less in Shoulder Muscles and in Elbow Flexors/Extensors. Muscle strength as assessed in the sitting position (Adapted from Daniels and Worthingham muscle testing scale). Any Muscle strength above a Grade 3 in any muscle mentioned above will be Not Eligible for BC4

87.1.1 Topography: Impairment(s) affects all four limbs and trunk 87.1.2 Eligible Impairments: Primarily Impaired Muscle Power.

87.2 BC4 in summary 87.2.1 Athletes will have severe locomotor dysfunction affecting all four limbs and the trunk. 87.2.2 Athletes must have a lack of active trunk control, regaining midline position independently with difficulty when fully flexed and side flexed due to weakness in the trunk muscles which impacts on their dynamic postural control, and sitting balance will be affected. 87.2.3 Moderate impairment of function and may have some limitation in active functional range of movement due to impaired muscle power and lack of control affecting the upper limbs/trunk/lower limbs. 87.2.4 Impaired muscle power in the Upper Limb, Lower Limb and trunk. For the throwing athlete, overall muscle strength of grade 3/5 or less in the Upper limbs, Lower limbs, and trunk muscle groups. For the footplayer, overall muscle strength of grade 3/5 or less in the Lower limb especially in knee extensor and knee flexor muscles. 87.2.5 Athletes may use a manual or power wheelchair for everyday mobility and/or sport specific performance on court using the upper limbs or lower limbs to propel the wheelchair. 87.2.6 Athletes may walk with assistance or use a walking aid for short distances. 87.2.7 Athletes may be able to transfer independently using a variety of different methods and transfer aids.