Functional Classification

A system used in adaptive and Paralympic sports to group athletes into categories based on their physical functional abilities rather than their specific medical diagnosis. In wheelchair basketball, players are assigned a classification from 1.0 (least trunk mobility) to 4.5 (full trunk function) based on assessment of their movement capabilities, and teams must balance their roster so that the five active players's classifications total no more than 15 points. This system ensures fair competition and meaningful participation for athletes across a wide range of physical abilities. Functional classification is important in accessibility contexts because it demonstrates an inclusive approach where diverse abilities are accommodated through structural rules rather than exclusion.