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Abstract

Powerchair football: a fusion of sport and technology
serving people with disabilities

published in September - October 2024 - in Il Fisioterapista - issue n.5
Giacomo Farì, Francesco Quarta, Clelia Longo, Laura Caforio, Laura Dell’Anna, Luisa De Palma, Marco Filipponi, Giuseppe Rollo, Andrea Bernetti

Powerchair football, ruled in Italy by the Federazione Italiana Paralimpica Powerchair Sport (FIPPS), is a team sport designed for people with severe motor disabilities, such as SMA and ALS. Similar to soccer, it involves the use of electric wheelchairs and specific adapted rules to ensure fluidity and safety during the game. The benefits include physical and psychological improvements, as well as increased motor autonomy, despite potential and marginal side effects. Technology plays a crucial role, with advanced wheelchairs enhancing participation. The importance of this sport is growing, and further research is needed to fully understand its inclusive and rehabilitative potential.