What Sports Can You Play in a Wheelchair?

There is a wide variety of sports that you can play in a wheelchair. With some modifications to the rules, you can play wheelchair sports such as basketball, tennis, and even hockey, among others. Some of these sports can be played in a manual wheelchair, while others require an electric wheelchair. Either way, you’ll find that your disability is no impediment to having fun in Los Angeles, CA or Dallas, TX. Explore a few of the more popular wheelchair sports in this guide from Freedom Motors USA! 

Wheelchair Basketball

Wheelchair basketball is among the wheelchair sports played in manual wheelchairs, specially designed to enhance stability, on a standard basketball court with 10-foot high baskets. The scoring and rules of the game are essentially the same as in a standard basketball game, with some modifications to accommodate wheelchair users.

Wheelchair Tennis

In wheelchair tennis, the court size and net height are the same as for standard tennis regulations. The rules have been adapted, allowing the ball to bounce up to 2 times. The game is played with manual wheelchairs specially designed for speed and improved mobility.

Wheelchair Hockey

Also known as Power Hockey, this is a fast-paced game with rules adapted from ice hockey and floor hockey. It is played in an electric wheelchair on a standard basketball court, with a plastic ball instead of a puck, and plastic hockey sticks or T-sticks can be used.

Wheelchair Racing

Wheelchair races can be held on a track or as a road race. There is a wide array of wheelchairs specially designed for racing, but all need to be lightweight and manually operated. Wheelchair racers have been clocked at speeds of up to 18.6 mph.

Wheelchair-Accessible Nascar-Style Vehicles: a New Height for Wheelchair Racing

Wheelchair racing has recently reached new heights, with Nascar-style racecars being modified for wheelchair-accessible track racing. It serves as further proof that with determination, there’s no goal too lofty to reach!

What is the Paralympics?

Every four years, many of us tune into the Olympics to watch and root for our favorite athletes. Most everyone knows about the Olympics, but some may wonder about the event that follows: What is the Paralympics? The Paralympic Games immediately follow the Olympic Games every four years, and are a major multi-sport event for athletes who have disabilities. Check out some quick facts on the Paralympics to learn more:

• Ludwig Guttmann started the Paralympics in 1948, for World War II veterans with spinal injuries
• Like the Olympics, the Paralympics have both Summer and Winter Games, held in a different country every four years
• The last time the Winter Paralympics were held in the U.S. was in 2002, in Salt Lake City, Utah
• The last time the Summer Paralympics were held in the U.S. was in 1996, in Atlanta, Georgia

Learn More With Freedom Motors USA

Whether you’re searching for a wheelchair sports camp in the Orlando, FL area or you’d like to share your insight on the most exciting wheelchair sports to play, we’d love to hear from you! Contact Freedom Motors USA to start a conversation today. If you’re in the market for a new wheelchair-accessible van or SUV, we have a vast inventory to help you secure the freedom of mobility. From lifestyle tips to car-buying needs, we can guide you through it all!