Tuesday, 16 Jul 2024

Dude, Where’s My Arm?

Kids these days seem to lose everything, from homework to lunch money to shoes. But what if they actually lost an artificial arm while playing a sport? This was the case for Zach Upp, a member of the U.S. Men’s Sitting National Team.

While going for a block in high school, Zach lost his prosthetic arm. Some argue that his arm should have been padded to prevent injury, but adding padding would make his arm larger than his natural one, potentially altering his performance. Rules regarding prosthetics vary, with World ParaVolley and the FIVB forbidding objects that may give an unfair advantage or cause injury.

The concern for player safety is valid, but sometimes the focus on prosthetics overshadows other potential risks. For example, collisions between players account for a smaller percentage of injuries compared to contact with the ball.

In sitting volleyball, athletes with upper-limb prosthetics play regularly without significant injuries. It’s possible that our perception of prosthetic limbs as a safety concern is influenced by their rarity among volleyball players.

In Search of New Paralympic Athletes!

As a referee, you will encounter countless young athletes on the court. Among them, there may be individuals with physical disabilities that aren’t immediately apparent, such as limited range of motion or muscular atrophy.

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These athletes are crucial for Paralympic programs, both in sitting volleyball and beach paravolley. If you come across such athletes, please encourage them to reach out to us at [email protected] or provide us with their team name and uniform number. We are dedicated to getting these athletes involved and on their way to pursuing Paralympic gold!

FAQs

Q: Should prosthetic arms be padded to prevent injury?
A: There is debate surrounding this issue. While padding may offer protection, it can also alter the size and weight of the arm. This could impact an athlete’s performance, potentially changing the way they play the game.

Q: Are prosthetics in sitting volleyball a safety concern?
A: In sitting volleyball, athletes with prosthetic limbs play regularly without significant injuries. Collisions between players are less common than injuries caused by contact with the ball.

Q: What should referees do if they encounter athletes with physical disabilities?
A: Referees should encourage athletes with disabilities to reach out to [email protected] or provide their team name and uniform number. These athletes are valuable to Paralympic programs and should be given the opportunity to pursue their dreams.

Summary

Losing an artificial arm while playing a sport may seem like a bizarre occurrence, but it happened to Zach Upp, a member of the U.S. Men’s Sitting National Team. The debate arises over whether prosthetic arms should be padded for safety reasons, considering the potential impact on an athlete’s performance. The rules regarding prosthetics vary, with some organizations forbidding objects that may give an unfair advantage or cause injury.

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It’s important to remember that the focus on prosthetics should not overshadow other potential risks in the game. While collisions between players are a concern, injuries caused by contact with the ball make up a significant portion of volleyball-related injuries.

Sitting volleyball athletes with prosthetic limbs participate regularly without experiencing significant injuries. This suggests that the perception of prosthetic limbs as a safety concern may be influenced by their rarity among volleyball players.

As a referee, it’s essential to be aware of athletes with physical disabilities who may not have obvious limitations. These athletes are valuable to Paralympic programs, and it is important to encourage them to get involved and pursue their dreams. For those interested, they can reach out to [email protected] or provide their team name and uniform number for further assistance.

The ultimate goal is to promote inclusivity and support aspiring Paralympic athletes on their journey to achieve greatness.