Technological changes have had an impact on Para sports over the years and how they are played. It can be “low-tech” or highly advanced. Assistive technology has also become more specialised; with tailored equipment for individual athletes and uses. These are a few examples of how technology is used in Para sport.
BADMINTON CHAIRS
The wheelchairs have a backrest and extra caster wheels at the rear to allow players to move freely and twist or lean backwards without tipping over. It means they can return a smash and keep rallies going.
CYCLING TRACK RACING BIKES
Cyclists can exceed speeds of 60 km/h on the track. At the Games standard racing bikes are used by Para cyclists, but they are allowed modifications. For athletes with an arm impairment, handlebars are modified depending on which hand has more mobility while athletes with leg amputations are allowed to fix their prosthesis to the pedal.
RELEASE BRACE IN ARCHERY
Assistive devices are allowed in archery, and among them is the release brace. It is placed at the back of the archer and hinged on to a brace and strapped on to the upper body. A manual trigger mechanism or other hinges are added to aid an archer to release the arrow.
RUNNING BLADES
Light, springy and compact, the prosthetics, or running blades, are used by amputee athletes to replace the calf and ankle. The J-shaped prosthetic is made of carbon fibre, a strong, lightweight material, and helps an athlete as they step forward, whether during a sprint, a vertical lift or a long jump.
TAPPING DEVICES IN SWIMMING
Swimmers with vision impairment have assistants called ‘tappers’ who use a ‘tapping device’ to notify the swimmers when to turn or when they are about to approach the wall. The device is usually a pole with a soft end piece long enough to be able to tap the swimmer on the head, shoulder or back. Whilst these devices can be homemade - a standard device still does not exist - they all need to be approved by the IPC before using.
