Continuing the now long-standing commitment of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), the IPC Sport Science Committee (IPC SSC) is dedicated to assisting sport scientists with research projects during IPC sanctioned competitions. Due to the thin line between data collection procedures and interfering with athletic competition, the IPC SSC established an application process in 2002 (www.paralympic.org) for all research conducted at IPC sanctioned competitions, including the Paralympic Games. Approximately a year and a half before a competition, a call for research is established by the IPC SSC. Researchers then have approximately six months to complete the details of their research prior to a final submission to the IPC. A final proposal deadline is established by the IPC SSC, which is typically one year from the start of the competition.

All applications undergo an initial evaluation and ethics review by the IPC SSC. In some cases members of the IPC SSC assist researchers in the development of the research proposal. If the proposed research project is accepted, the Organizing Committee of the respective competition and relevant sport, where applicable, is notified. Working together, the IPC SSC, Organizing Committee, competition managers and venue managers develop a research action plan so that the researchers can successfully complete their projects without interrupting athlete preparation or the competition. During the Paralympic Games, members of the IPC SSC are assigned to each research project to assist the Organizing Committee and the researchers.

During the ATHENS 2004 Paralympic Games, six important research projects were approved and successfully completed:

Long and High Jump Technique of World Level Above and Below Knee Amputees (Lee Nolan, Principal Investigator, from the University College of Physical Education & Sports, Sweden)

• The finals of the men’s and women’s long jump for athletes with an above-knee and below-knee amputation were filmed during the ATHENS 2004 Paralympic Games. Footage was later digitized, analyzed and compared to able-bodied jumpers to determine the best jumping technique for athletes with an amputation. This was one of the first studies to utilize three-dimensional video during a Paralympic event. The aims of the research project were to determine the characteristics of the jumping technique used by elite athletes with a disability and to compare that technique to able-bodied athletes in the same sport; to determine to what extent jumping techniques differ between elite amputee athletes and elite able-bodied athletes and why; and to provide important feedback to athletes with an amputation and coaches, not only at the elite level but also to improve jumping techniques of those new to the sport.

• This research project was designed to investigate the potential safety issues, to develop standard safety protocols for future Sailing regattas for athletes with a disability, and to create training programmes for officials and competitors. Because of the aquatic venue and the variable environmental conditions, safety concerns for these athletes is a very high concern. The researchers first assessed the sailors and race officials knowledge of safety procedures and then investigated potential intrinsic sailor physical issues. The questionnaires have been collected and analyzed and with the results, the research team will make some specific safety procedural suggestions to race organizers.

• For the first time, the IPC was actively involved in an investigation of the characteristics, motivation and behavior of spectators toward athletes participating in the Paralympic Games. Over 1,600 spectators attending the ATHENS 2004 Paralympic Games were given questionnaires in an attempt to examine some important questions: Who are spectators of the Paralympic Games? What are their attributes? How do they perceive athletes with a disability? What are their beliefs toward athletes with a disability? The answers to these questions and others allowed the research team to develop a profile of the Paralympic Games spectator.

• The World Organisation Volleyball for Disabled (WOVD) has established its own set of technical rules and classification system. Following rule changes in 2000 (rally, serve, touch the net, libero), there has not been a study to determine if these new rules have changed the duration of the rallies or the role of the libero player in tactical and defense formations. The researchers videotaped each game and analyzed to determine if the new rules had any effect on the game or the strategy of teams to win. The research team is now conducting an in-depth analysis of the videotapes and will make rule change suggestions to the WOVD.

• The purpose of this study was to collect information from key IPC stakeholders (including athletes, Chefs de Mission, classifiers and coaches) to further gain information about classification. The overall purpose was to collect recommendations and draw general conclusions that will be useful in classification strategic planning. It was not intended to evaluate the ATHENS 2004 Paralympic Games Organizing Committee (ATHOC) classification programme, but to provide an opportunity for the stakeholders to voice an opinion.

• This was a study of the injury surveillance and is a continuation of previous studies of athletes who were injured during the Salt Lake City 2002 Paralympic Winter Games. The data provide insight into the frequency and distribution of injuries by sports. The results provide an indication of risk factors in sports that may be prevented by changes in equipment or regulations.

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