Wheelchair Basketball: The Origin Of Wheelchair Basketball

Wheelchair basketball – widely regarded as one of the most beneficial recreational activities for people with disabilities – is quickly becoming one of the world’s most popular adapted sport. The adapted sport’s popularity is supported by the fact that 75 countries have now established dedicated wheelchair basketball leagues and competitions.

The Origin of Wheelchair Basketball

Wheelchair basketball was originally devised in 1946 by Ludwig Guttmann, a neurologist at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, England. Mr Guttmann was charged with rehabilitating patients – many of whom had been injured on the battlefields of the Second World War – with spinal cord injuries and other physical disabilities.

In his new role, Mr Guttmann, who proved to be a talented

In 1948, the first Paralympic Games were hosted at Stoke Mandeville Hospital and organised by Mr. Guttmann. By the 1950s, wheelchair basketball was rapidly gaining popularity amongst the patients and staff at Stoke Mandeville Hospital. The sport continued to develop and expand until, in 1973, the most important regulatory body in adapted sports, the International Stoke Mandeville Games Committee, established its first adapted sports sub-section when it founded a wheelchair basketball committee. This sub-organisation is still regarded as the precursor to today’s International Wheelchair Basketball Foundation (IWBF).

The Basic Rules of Wheelchair Basketball

There are not many differences between wheelchair basketball rules and Olympic basketball rules. For instance, line location, court size and dimensions, basket height, hoop circumference, game length and ball specifications remain unchanged in wheelchair

RGK - Picking the Right Wheelchair

Some of the most popular wheelchair basketball chairs are designed and manufactured under the RGK brand. RGK Elite basketball wheelchairs are made to measure and to meet your needs and preferences completely!

You can also choose from the popular Quickie All Court models. All Court Sports wheelchairs feature a robust and lightweight frame design. You can also tweak your seating positon by using seat angle and centre of gravity adjustments. If you plan to optimise your chair’s seat angle, take advantage of All Court weight distribution adjustment features to better align your weight on the chair’s drive wheels. Professional wheelchair basketball players can even make use of the All Court Ti wheelchair – a manoeuvrable and robust titanium frame chair.

With so many options available, the only thing left is to choose your own wheelchair and contact your closest adapted sports