Thesis-1999-Wu.pdf (22.89 MB)
Development of a classification model in disability sport
thesis
posted on 2010-11-11, 15:00 authored by Sheng Kuang WuThe principal aim of this study was to develop a classification model in
disability sports. Using disability swimming as an example, methods of participant
observation, interview, survey and document analysis were undertaken in three
empirical studies to develop and clarify the classification model and three elements in
swimming classification- (a) the classification process, (b) classifiers and (c) the
classification system.
First, the swimming classification process was identified as a social process.
Members in the classification process socially interacted. The detailed classification
process was described, interpreted and discussed. Several features in the classification
process were identified. They included interaction among social actors, routinization,
rules in the process, resources used by classifiers, power relations among social actors,
allocation of rewards and sanctions in the classification process, and conflicts among
social actors.
Second, the role of classifiers as an agent of social control in disability
swimming was examined. Resources used by medical and technical classifiers in the
classification process to maintain their role and social order, and the socialization of
classifiers in swimming were specifically explored. In addition, the important
characteristics of swimming classifiers were identified in the study.
Third, classification outcomes in disability swimming were monitored to
evaluate the effectiveness of the classification system. Performance and impairment
approaches were used in the study. Data of performances and types of impairment of
Paralympic swimmers were analysed. The results revealed that the swimming
classification system was generally fair but some classes needed to be fine-tuned.
In this study elements of the classification model were clarified by integration of
the results of the three empirical studies and the classification literature. It is suggested
that researchers may use the concepts of the classification model for further investigationin disability sportc lassificationa nd disability sport committees may apply the model to systematicallye valuatet heir own classification systems, processes and
classifiers.
History
School
- Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences
Publisher
© Sheng Kuang WuPublication date
1999Notes
Doctoral Thesis. Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of Doctor of Philosophy of Loughborough University.EThOS Persistent ID
uk.bl.ethos.300268Language
- en