Physical disabilities or other limitations should not keep you from health-enhancing activities.
Health guidelines recommend adults get at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise, or at least 75 minutes of vigorous exercise. Which activities you choose doesn’t matter as long as they move you.
But what if an injury, illness, health condition, disability, or even normal aging makes being active hard for you? In that case, adaptive sports can lend a much-needed hand.
What are adaptive sports?
Adaptive sports are competitive or recreational sports or activities for people with disabilities or physical limitations. Read also : Sports Betting in Colorado: What sports books are available and how can I place bets?. They often run parallel to traditional businesses, but are modified to support people’s specific physical abilities.
“Eventually, almost everyone will experience some type of disability that impedes regular exercise, whether it is mild arthritis, requiring a knee or hip replacement, limited vision, or a more significant physical disability,” says Dr. Cheri Blauwet, associate professor in physics. medicine and rehabilitation at Harvard Medical School, and a former wheelchair racer who is a seven-time Paralympic medalist and two-time winner of the Boston and New York City Marathons. “But now, because of advanced technology and supporting infrastructure, people can find almost any kind of sport or activity that takes into account their abilities and helps them stay active.”
Why is it important to stay active?
Not getting enough regular exercise increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, obesity, diabetes, and cancer. It also affects mood. And people with disabilities are particularly vulnerable because of the challenges of staying active, Dr Blauwet said. “Adaptive sports are a way for us to continue our regular exercise and support our health and well-being in the future.”
Research supports this. To see also : 11 Reasons I Didn’t Mean to Start a Business – But Did It Anyway. According to a study, people who participate in adaptive sports and activities report better overall health, quality of life, and social life.
How can you learn about options for adaptive activities near you?
You can find state and local adaptive sports programs and activities accessible through the National Center for Health, Physical Activity and Disability and the Challenged Athlete Foundation website. See the article : College Football 2.0: Who is left behind when conversion, new leadership, player empowerment transforms the game?. “This program can also help you find the mentors, coaches, and support systems you need to succeed,” said Dr. Blauwet.
The type of sport or activity you choose ultimately depends on your interests and level of functioning, but there are many options available.
Build on strengths and consider new activities
Dr. Blauwet shares other strategies that can help you transition to adaptive activities.
Look at your current training form. “Almost any type of sport or activity can be adjusted to accommodate people with disabilities, so there is a good chance you can continue with your favorite business,” says Dr. Blauwet.
For example, as part of her ongoing therapy, former Arizona representative Gabby Giffords, an avid motorcyclist who lives with brain injuries after an assassination attempt, now rides a recumbent bicycle because of paralysis on her right side and balance problems. (A recumbent bicycle is a tricycle that places the rider in a seated or relaxed position.)
Sports and other activities can be modified similarly. For example, special golf carts can help you stand and balance your body while swinging the club. Sledge hockey uses sleds skates across the ice.
Focus on your strengths. Don’t think about what you can’t do, but focus on what you can do. Run no choice? How about power walking using walking poles for support? Can’t use your legs? Focus on upper body activities like swimming or kayaking. low vision? Guides are available to help you walk, run, and cycle.
Join a team. Many adaptive sports have organized team leagues with adjusted rules and formats, such as wheelchair basketball and tennis, and “beep” baseball and kickball for the visually impaired. “This is a great way to build more awareness of your new venture and build a community with other peers with similar disabilities,” says Dr Blauwet. “Plus, a little competition gives extra motivation.”
Try something new. Use your new functional status as an opportunity to try a different sport or activity. “Test the waters and try something that always interests you,” said Dr. Blauwet. “Now might be the ideal time to explore waterskiing, windsurfing, horseback riding, or rock climbing.”
It can be mentally and emotionally tough to embrace adaptive sports and activities, because you can feel like your disability has become magnified. But don’t let that deter you, adds Dr Blauwet. “Staying committed to being active and investing in your health can help reduce and eliminate any negative stigma you may have. Participation in adaptive sports is not a lesser way of life, but a better way of life.”
What are the 8 categories of disability?
- 1 – Mobility and Physical Impairments. …
- 2 – Defective spine. …
- 3 – head injury – brain damage. …
- 4 – Impaired Vision. …
- 5 – Hearing impairment. …
- 6 – Cognitive or Learning disabilities. …
- 7 – Psychological Disorders. …
- 8 – Candidacy.
What qualifies as a physical disability? 1. Impairment in the body structure or function of a person, or mental function; Examples of impairments include the loss of a limb, loss of vision or memory loss. Activity limitations, such as difficulty seeing, hearing, walking, or problem solving.
What are soccer wheelchairs called?
Power soccer is a 4 v 4 soccer game played by people who use power wheelchairs for daily mobility. It is played on a regulation size basketball court and consists of two 20 minute periods.
How can disabled people play football? 7-a-side Paralympic soccer consists of adaptation to the sport of soccer for ambulatory athletes with physical disabilities. During the match, FIFA rules are used with modifications, including the size of the playing field, the size of the goal, the number of players, and the rule about offside.
Is power soccer in the Paralympics?
Powerball is not currently recognized as a Paralympic sport, but BORP’s Newman indicated that the USPSA hopes it will be recognized in time for the 2024 games. “There have been three World Cups in the history of the sport, in 2007, 2011, and 2017.
Is there a wheelchair soccer?
Wheelchair soccer is very similar to the strong form of the game in terms of rules and structure – the only real difference is that players use wheelchairs to move around the field and also push the ball as it passes, to catch others. players (in defense), and score goals.
Is wheelchair soccer a sport?
Power Soccer, also known as Wheelchair Soccer or Powerchair Football, is a fast-paced indoor team sport for people using electric wheelchairs. In the US there are teams from New Hampshire to California, Florida to Minnesota.
Why are Paralympic Games so important?
challenging stereotypes. While stereotypes and judgments are still a reality for people living with disabilities, the Paralympic Games have played a fundamental role in challenging closed-minded attitudes about differences. The Paralympics promote inclusivity and set new benchmarks for what is thought possible.
What are the 4 most important values in the Paralympics? At the heart of the Paralympic Movement are four core values. These values are determination, equality, inspiration and courage. Courage: This includes the unique spirit of the Paralympian who seeks to accomplish what the general public deems impossible, but what Para athletes know as the truth.
What do we learn from Paralympic Games?
Mental Toughness It is not surprising that this skill is shared by many Paralympians, because the ability to maintain motivation and confidence over a long period of time is very important for success in the event that takes place once every four years.
Why is the Paralympics so important?
They enjoy better social status, better social security, better educational opportunities, easy access to jobs and more. Today, the Paralympics benefit from more extensive global media coverage than ever before, amplifying the transformative effect the Games can have.
What is the most important value in Paralympic Games?
Courage. Not only does it take a lot of courage to participate in the Paralympics, but it also takes courage to present themselves in front of a crowd of spectators who have set high expectations for them.
