Physical activity is an important aspect of staying healthy and feeling your best. Having a disability can make participating in sports seem challenging. There’s a great solution out there: Adaptive sports. Adaptive sports are athletic activities created or adapted specifically for people with disabilities. In this article, we will discuss types of adaptive sports, the benefits of getting involved, and how you can get started as an athlete.
What are Adaptive Sports?
In the US, adaptive sporting events were initially used to help rehabilitate veterans who were injured in the first and second world wars. Today, adaptive sports range from recreational pastimes to international competitions and are available to all, regardless of military service.
Adaptive sports utilize specific equipment so athletes of varying physical abilities can participate. Wheelchair basketball and sled hockey are an example of adaptive team sports. Wheelchair basketball is basketball played via a modified wheelchair. Sled hockey is hockey played from a fast sled that the athlete pushes with their arms. Wheelchair rugby is another option for a full-contact, fast paced adaptive sport, and considered one of the most popular competitive adaptive sports in the USA. A documentary was made in 2005 about the men’s USA wheelchair rugby team and their journey complete and win on the international stage.
If full-contact team sports aren’t your thing, there are plenty of other options based on sports you are already familiar with. These include track and field, weightlifting, golf, archery, bowling, fencing, fishing, hunting, shooting, pool, table tennis, and more. Basically, if there is a recreational sport available, chances are it can also be played by individuals with disabilities with the addition of creativity or some additional equipment.
Benefits of Adaptive Sports
Participating in sports provides numerous benefits for mental and physical health. People with disabilities face a higher risk of chronic disease due to the sedentary lifestyle often resulting from physical limitations related to their condition. This makes intentional exercise by people with disabilities especially important. Participating in sports can be an excellent way to incorporate exercise into your routine.
Participation in adaptive sports can improve mobility, flexibility, strength, cardiovascular condition and even help reduce chronic pain. Having more muscle tone and a stronger heart decreases the risk of many chronic diseases including diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Exercise may even improve cognitive function – your brain works better when your body has the opportunity to move.
The benefits don’t stop with physical health. Sports and exercise benefit mental health, as well. Studies have shown that many people with disabilities experience improvements in quality of life, life satisfaction, community reintegration, and positive changes to mood after regularly participating in competitive or recreational sporting activity. Participation in sports can be an effective way to relieve stress, make friends, or have some time to focus on yourself – all important activities for a balanced life.
Getting Started as an Adaptive Sports Participant
The United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) is a great place to get started with adaptive sports. They maintain an excellent list of adaptive sporting clubs throughout the country, so you can search your state and see what’s available in your area. Visit the club-finder here: https://www.usopc.org/paralympic-sport-development/find-a-club.
In addition to finding local clubs, you can also find a wealth of additional resources on their website, including a questionnaire to see what sport might be a good fit, the option to speak with representative to help you get started, and information on grants for equipment and training. You can visit their website here: https://www.usopc.org/getting-started
Conclusion
Opportunities to participate in adaptive sports offer numerous mental and physical health benefits to people with disabilities. Robust adaptive sporting programs also serve to create inclusive environments that positively impact society as a whole. At ABC Medical, we’ve been involved in encouraging and enabling participation in adaptive sports from the start. Each year, the ABC Medical team supports adaptive sports events all across the country, and we also offer scholarship opportunities to adaptive athletes who represent good sportsmanship, display continuous respect for themselves and others, and display leadership characteristics on their adaptive sports team.
Experts are standing by to support all your supply needs. Fill out the form or call 866-897-8588.
Disclaimer: This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For medical advice, please speak with your healthcare provider.
References
