How to Race Wheelchairs
- 1). Get a racer. Racing wheelchairs are not the same as a wheelchair that you see in a hospital. Find a racer or racing wheelchair that you feel comfortable using. You may be able to get one from a friend or acquaintance who no longer races or who may have an extra chair.
- 2). Always warm up your hand and arm muscles. Before a race, stretch your arms and do slower motions than you would when racing at full speed until the race begins. This helps you avoid serious injury during a race.
- 3). Push the chair. When pushing your chair, you are not actually pushing a chair from behind. You are getting the chair to move by stroking and hitting the wheels with your hands and arms. You need special racing gloves to protect your hands while doing this motion. Gloves must be specifically sized to your hands.
- 4). Practice preferably on a track. Before you enter a race, you should be comfortable doing laps around a track. You can use a local high school track after school hours.
- 5). Remain seated in the wheelchair. Your shoulders and body should lean forward, but your feet and knees must remain in the center of the wheelchair, together. Stroke the wheels in a circular motion (see Resources for tips).
- 6). Enter a race. Not all races are suitable for wheelchair use; find out by calling the director or event coordinator. It is possible for foot-running racers and wheelchair racers to race in the same competition. The only difference is that wheelchair racers are given a head start.
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