What are some of the challenges that physiotherapists face working with elite para-athletes? 

As physiotherapists we are often encouraged to use pattern recognition and evidence-based practice as the basis of our assessments, diagnosis and clinical reasoning. 

With para-athletes, no two impairments are the same and the impact of the impairment differs for individual athletes. 

The athlete is the expert regarding their own impairment. 

We have less or, in some cases (eg, concussion), minimal evidence-based literature on para-athletes to be guided by. 

Therefore, it is common for the treatment approach to be creatively customised by the performance team and adapted for the individual athlete. 

While this may be perceived as a challenge, it also presents an opportunity to think outside of the box and creatively problem solve which is central to athlete care. 

Historically, there has been less performance support infrastructure for para-athletes compared to non-para-athletes. 

The para-athletes’ wider support team (nurses, carers, occupational therapists, prosthetists and orthotists) may be external to the High Performance System potentially impacting communication and optimal support. 

Classification is unique to para-sport and can be a difficult and stressful time for some athletes. 

Holistic support is critical in this period. 

Travel logistics are also more challenging in para-sport. 

Traveling with extra equipment including day chairs, competition chairs/bikes and shower chairs/commodes as well as using aisle chairs can present logistical issues. 

Accessible rooms can be complicated in some overseas environments. 

The role of the physio here is to be a team player and assist beyond the ‘usual’ expectations of their role. 

At APASC25, Paula Peralta will present a keynote about para-sports and the role physios play.

How has support improved for para-athletes at the elite level?

The Para Uplift program announced in 2024, resulted in a significant increase in government funding with the goal to improve coaching support, increase para-athlete participation and opportunities, and improve the classification system across Australian para-sport. 

The Para Uplift aim is to expand the number of para-sports and classifications represented, ultimately leading to more medals. 

The Para Uplift has resulted in an increase in performance support infrastructure, improved classification systems and support and greater exposure to competition. 

This campaign has been greatly aided by the Australian Sports Commission, which houses a department dedicated to focusing on the growth and evolution of para-sport. 

On the world stage, Australia is under-represented in higher impaired classes. 

This issue specifically is being targeted by the Para Uplift. 

Each state’s institute or academy of sport now has a dedicated Para Hub. 

A carer’s network has been established specifically for the nurses, carers and occupational therapists that provide support to our para-athletes. 

Paralympics Australia have increased exposure, understanding and knowledge of para-sport over the last few campaigns. 

It is an exciting time with more community support and awareness than ever before. 

How does this impact para-sport in general? 

Increasing access and opportunity for people with a disability to participate in sport has obvious health benefits that extend beyond the physical, emotional, social and mental benefits and self-esteem gains associated with activity.

 These gains for community members with a disability may have a wider impact on our health system. 

Higher participation numbers will lead to a greater talent pool to draw from. 

With enhanced funding and talent identification programs in place, para-athlete representation should grow across sports and across more classifications. 

This boost in support aligns with the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games with para-sports represented by 50 per cent of the included sports for the Games—making it the only inclusive multi-sport event for para-and non para-athletes. 

The increased funding has allowed greater opportunity for better equipment for para-athletes, reducing barriers to participation and performance. 

There is more media exposure for our para-athletes than ever before, hopefully this continues to improve in the coming years. It truly is an exciting time to be involved in para-sport. 

>> Paula Peralta FACP is a Specialist Sports and Exercise Physiotherapist (as awarded by the Australian College of Physiotherapists in 2019). Paula is the national physical therapies network lead for the Australian Institute of Sport and sports science and sports medicine lead for the Australian Opals. Paula has attended three Paralympic Games with the Australian team and was appointed physical therapies lead for Paralympics Australia in Tokyo and Paris. She has worked in para-sport for fifteen years across multiple sports including wheelchair basketball, athletics, boccia, shooting, para-archery, goalball, para-badminton and powerlifting. 

>> Paula will be presenting the keynote titled ‘The world of para-sport’ on Thursday 23 October at 2:30pm.

Click here for more information about APSC25.