H4

Athletes classified in Hand-cycle classes H1- 4 compete using an arm powered or arm trunk power handcycle where a recumbent position is mandatory. Athletes classified in the Handcycle class H5 compete from a kneeling/sitting position.

Eligible impairment(s) which prevent an Athlete from using a kneeling/sitting position on a hand-cycle due to underlying health conditions.

Impaired Muscle Power - Paraplegic with impairments corresponding to a complete lesion from Th11 or below; - No lower limb function/impaired lower limb function; - Normal or almost normal trunk stability (normal abdominal strength, muscle grade 4-5); - Non-spinal cord injury/incomplete spinal cord injury with a sport specific activity limitation, equivalent to sport class H4;

Impaired Passive Range of Movement - Athletes with Impaired Passive Range of Movement with a lower limb sport specific activity limitation profile equivalent to sport class H4.

Limb Deficiency - Athletes with lower limb deficiencies that meet the criteria for H5 but have additional impairment/s which prevent the use of the kneeling/sitting position on a handcycle.

Hypertonia - Asymmetric or symmetrical bilateral involvement with grade 2 spasticity in the lower limbs and grade 0-1 spasticity in the upper limbs; - Unilateral involvement; at least grade 2 spasticity in the lower limb and grade 0-1 spasticity in the upper limb;

Ataxia/Athetosis/Dystonia - Severe athetosis/dystonia (E.g. large amplitude of excessive motion and long durations of excessive motions) in the lower limbs; - A comparable mixture of ataxia/athetosis/dystonia and hypertonia/spasticity with a sport specific activity limitation equivalent to sport class H4.