Optimising body weight categories for para powerlifting using a modified evolutionary strategy

Objectives In select sports, bodyweight categories (BCs) serve to increase competitiveness and fairness. We aimed to analyse current Para Powerlifting BC impacts on performance-related factors and refine these for each sex. Methods Retrospective records; 2013–2023 ( n = 6802 athletes) were collated. An evolutionary strategy, with a specific ‘fitness function’ and simplified genetic algorithm was employed to develop optimised BCs with the same overall number of categories ( n = 10 ) for each sex. Spearman's rank correlations determined performance versus bodyweight relationships. Chi-squared goodness of fit tests determined distribution of the athletic pool amongst categories. The impact of changing the BCs on retrospective competition results was explored with paired samples Wilcoxon tests. Significance was set at p < 0.01. Results The evolutionary strategy provided optimised BCs for senior males and females resulting in better distribution of the athlete pool, fewer BCs with a significant bodyweight-performance correlation (4 versus 1 across sexes) and no statistical difference in competitiveness compared to current BCs. Neither the current nor optimised bodyweight schemes were suitable for junior competitions. Conclusion The results may inform future rule updates in Para Powerlifting. Sports using athlete classification (e.g., bodyweight, age) should consider the efficacy of categorisation methods and adopt an analytical approach to ensure competitive fairness.