Sport Wheelchairs & Equipment

In order for an individual to experience meaningful success in wheelchair basketball, it is important that they use a lightweight court sports wheelchair that is designed to maximize mobility while meeting individual classification needs.

Sport wheelchairs differ from everyday chairs in both their design and components that enhance your personal comfort and performance when engaging in physical activity. The frame of the sport chair is lightweight for easy mobility. The front casters and the back 5th or 6th wheel use roller blade type wheels with high performance bearings. The 5th and 6th wheel are used to provide stability and balance when maneuvering the chair. The rear wheels range from 24, 25, or 26 inches in diameter depending on the set-up of your chair, body size and personal preference. High pressure tubes and non-marking tires with little or no tread are the most popular for wheelchair basketball.

Chairs are also equipped with a pushrim and footrest. The backrest can be set at various heights depending on the level of function the athlete possesses. The more support the back requires the higher the backrest will be. Those athletes who require a low backrest can generally sit higher in the chair than someone requiring more back support. The back upholstery is also adjustable and can be altered in order to provide support. An appropriate cushion is also important and the size, thickness and shape may vary according to each athlete's specific needs.

The wheel camber is generally between 15 and 20 degrees. Increasing wheel camber angle provides greater side-to-side stability due to the increased width and angle of the wheelbase and also allows for quicker turning and greater access to the top of the handrims.