You are here: Home > What we do >
In this section...
An increase of physical activity is commonly recommended to those with physical disability, but it is necessary to distinguish competitive sport from fitness programmes, remedial gymnastics and active recreation.
Potential benefits of enhanced activity are reviewed. Likely psychological gains include an improvement of mood-state, with a reduction of anxiety and depression, an increase of self-esteem and feelings of greater self-efficacy.
Sociological gains include new experiences, new friendships, and a countering of stigmatization. Perceived health is improved, and in a more long-term perspective there is a reduced risk of many chronic diseases.
Finally, there is a greater likelihood of employment, with less absenteeism and enhanced productivity. Both the health and the industrial benefits have a potential to yield cost savings that could make an important contribution toward the expense of suitably adapted physical activity programmes.
It is concluded that the physically disabled should be encouraged to engage in physical activity, although further large-scale longitudinal studies are needed to determine the optimal type of programme for such individuals.
For persons with a disability who require the use of adaptive devices (walkers, crutches, wheelchair), being in good physical shape enables them to use their equipment more effectively, with less fatigue after longer usage. In addition, they have less chance to become injured from the everyday strain on their joints due to the use of adaptive devices. For persons with a disability who require the use of adaptive devices (walkers, crutches, wheelchair), being in good physical shape enables them to use their equipment more effectively, with less fatigue after longer usage. In addition, they have less chance to become injured from the everyday strain on their joints due to the use of adaptive devices.
Athletes have healthier body fat to muscle ratio, decreased obesity, improved cardio-pulmonary functioning, and increased muscular strength and endurance. They show improved mobility, balance, and endurance.
People with disabilities who participate in sports or regular exercise have been shown to handle pressure and stress, better than those persons who did not exercise.
They also experienced less depression, confusion, tension and anger. Sports provide the disabled athlete the opportunity to develop a sense of mastery and set and achieve certain goals. Swimmers are reported to have a strong self-identity, strong competitive nature, and goal-oriented focus.
Through sports, persons with disabilities have the opportunity to experience peer interaction, acceptance, and recognition. Sports can be a vehicle to combat discrimination by providing the able-bodied athlete the opportunity to see the athletic ability of the disabled athlete.