AN athletic event which sees people swap wheelchairs and walking aids for a running frame made its debut at a global sporting event earlier this month thanks to research at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh.
RaceRunning, an athletic event for people of all ages with limited mobility using a three-wheeled frame, is the focus of research being carried out by experts at the university (QMU) in collaboration with other universities.
The team is currently investigating the potential health benefits of the activity for children and young people with cerebral palsy.
A second, separate research study is carried out into the evidence-based classification for RaceRunning which may get the sport included in the Paralympics.
RaceRunning made its debut at the World Para Athletic Championships in Dubai as a result of work by Dr Marietta van der Linden in collaboration with the Cerebral Palsy International Sports and Recreation Association (CPISRA ), RaceRunning Scotland and the University of Edinburgh. It is focused on a new classification system for RaceRunning for international competitions.
Classification is how athletes are assessed by a panel to ensure they compete against those with similar impairment.
The team’s research has already led to significant changes which will support the future development of RaceRunning at an international level.
Dr van der Linden said the Dubai debut was “a major achievement and very motivating for QMU and our partners at the University of Edinburgh and CPISRA.”
She said once the new classification system was working, RaceRunning could be a candidate for the Paralympic Games in 2024. “This would be an amazing achievement,” she added.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here