TYPES OF SPORT WHEELCHAIRS
Specialization of body type for different activities, called somatic specialization, has driven the development of specialized wheelchairs, both to suit the size and shape of the athlete and to meet the special needs of each athletic event. There are three major types of wheelchair: (a) general sport wheelchairs for ballgames such as quad rugby and wheelchair basketball, racquetball, and tennis, (b) field event (throwing) wheelchairs, and (c) racing wheelchairs (see Figure 27.2).