Publication of new classification research

New Research on Classification: Change-of-Direction Ability of Para-Footballers With Cerebral Palsy Under a New Evidence-Based and Sport-Specific Classification System. The work in classification led by IFCPF Classification Director Dr Raul Reina and his team, published a new study in the prestigious International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance with the first evidence of the new CP Football classification system implemented in 2018. 

IFCPF is pleased to announce the publication of a new research titled “Change of Direction Ability of Para Footballers With Cerebral Palsy Under a New Evidence-Based and Sport-Specific Classification System”, authored by Iván Peña-González, Alba Roldan, Carlos Toledo, Tomás Urbán and Raúl Reina. This work was recently published in the prestigious International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance.

The goals of this study were to explore the validity and reliability of a new and specific change-of-direction (COD) test that requires dribbling skills to classify international footballers with cerebral palsy (CP) and compare it with another valid and reliable COD test without ball dribbling and to probe whether both tests can discriminate between the new CP Football classes (i.e., FT1, FT2, and FT3) established worldwide in 2018.

This study involved 180 international para footballers with CP, from 23 national teams at the three regional competitions held in 2018. The principal results of this study showed that the test that requires dribbling skills appears to be valid and reliable to classify CP football players within the new classification system.

This is the first scientific publication with the new CP Football classification system implemented in 2018. The published research was carried out with multiple support institutions such as the International Paralympic Committee, the International Federation of CP Football, the Miguel Hernandez University, and the Basque Country University.

Our CP Football classification system continues to be strengthened in accordance with the IPC Athlete Classification Code and international recommendations for evidence-based practice.