1. Adaptive Sports & Recreation: History Current Trends Case Studies

2. PRESENTERS:
Kathleen Salas, PT, MHA
Clinical Specialist- Salem
Spaulding Adaptive Sports Centers – North Shore Coordinator
Ali Stoll, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist –Boston
Spaulding Adaptive Sports Centers- Boston Coordinator

3. Objectives:
Appreciate the underpinnings of adaptive sports & recreation
Understand numerous benefits of adaptive & inclusive recreation
Be familiar with current trends in adaptive sports
Understand & brainstorm adaptations for sports and activities
Increase awareness of adaptive resources

4. Brief History of Inclusion
1800s Perkin’s School for the Blind-1st P.E. program
1930s public schools created separate gym classes
1950s Kennedy Foundation attention on cognitive disabilities
1972 IDEA Individuals with Disabilities Education Act=equal educational opportunities
1990 Americans with Disabilities Act: mobility-related mandates: equal access to gyms, parks & recreation (trail width, picnic table height, pools, golf)

5. Brief History of Adaptive Sports
1924 – Deaflympics
Veterans post WW2 led to rise
in wheelchair basketball
1948 International Paralympic
Committee -> first Summer Games
Returning Vietnam Vets & new amputees founded National Handicapped Sports and Recreation Association in 1968; skiing
Special Olympics also founded 1968
2013 US Dep’t of Education: Equal access to school sports for the disabled! .

6. Importance of Adaptive Recreation
Multiple factors affect life satisfaction: family, community, work.
When individuals do not feel satisfied, motivation to participate and contribute in each area also decreases.
Individuals with disabilities felt 27% less satisfied with life than individuals without disabilities.
Survey conducted by the National Organization on Disability (2004),
Shank, Coyle, Boyd and Kinney (1996) believe recreation, leisure and play improve quality of life and “improve and maintain physical and psychological health and well-being” (p. 190).

7. Importance of Adaptive Recreation
One in four Americans ages five and older have at least one disability.
Only 12% of adults with a disability meet the minimum physical activity recommendations
30 minutes of moderate physical activity >5/week or 20 minutes of rigorous activity >3/week
Physical inactivity among people who have a disability has been linked to an increase in the severity of the disability and a decrease in involvement in the community”
Centers for Disease Control 2010

8. Over the past 14 years, the Spaulding Rehabilitation Network has enabled individuals of all abilities to lead active, healthy lifestyles, through participation in sports and recreational pursuits.
Children and adults participate in Spaulding Adaptive Sports Center (SASC) programs under the supervision of adaptive sports professionals & Spaulding therapists, providing the perfect environment to try a new sport or get back to one you always loved.

9. (Bobbi’s Poster)

10. Adaptive Sport Research
Emotional gains more powerful/statistically significant than physical gains

11. Adaptive Sports: Physical Gains
Improvements in strength and endurance were greater in those who participated >5 days than 3-5 days

12. Adaptive Sports: Emotional Benefits
Improved confidence and self-esteem not related to frequency of participation
Even a single session with SASC Boston may have a positive emotional impact on an individual
Intangibles: Independence & Empowerment

13. Potential Lifestyle Changes
Did participation in the SASC Boston Program motivate you to exercise more regularly?
88% answered YES!
We need to take a closer look at the words “regular exercise” and how that term is defined but what we do know is that even if these individuals are motivated to exercise even 1-2 times/week more than they used to, that is a positive step in the direction of achieving emotional, physical and health related benefits.
Our research suggests once an individual participates in adaptive recreation, they may perceive fewer barriers to an active lifestyle.

14. What’s New in Spaulding

15. What’s New
Spaulding National Running Center, Cambridge Prosthetic Research
Global advances in prosthetic technology

16. Consider integrated sports like w/c basketball & seated volleyball?
Inclusion for recreation & sports
Historically: separate sports only for those
with disabilities & special needs.
Current choices: Disabled students/athletes can play on existing teams (track & field, swimming)
OR Disabled athletes play on their own leagues (power wheelchair soccer, sled hockey)
Consider integrated sports like w/c basketball & seated volleyball?

17. How to build Adaptive Sports?
Certifications: some separate vs some adaptive training in addition to sport certifications.
Paraympic Sport Movement

18. What makes activities adaptive?
Not just the special gear…
Equipment modifications +
Environment considerations
Individualized teaching for
student’s learning style & pace
Brainstorming with clients
to focus on abilities
=Empowerment

19. Who Can Participate? Minimal Eligibility Requirements
Transfer with assist
Sitting tolerance > minutes
Stable cognition (alert & oriented)
Communication established
Sport specifics
+ Courage
Open mind
Transport & $
Our role is to remove as many barriers as possible

20. All ages & people with…. Neuromuscular: Cognitive: amputations
stroke
Traumatic brain injury
SCI
Cerebral palsy
Behavioral:
Mental health
PTSD
Cognitive:
Developmental delays
Autism
Sensory dysfunction:
Visual or hearing impairments
Orthopedics: OA, RA

21. How do we adapt equipment?
1. Bikes
LE recumbent trikes
Pedal, breaking, and
shifting modifications
Tandem capability
Foot plates
Ab/adduction bars

22. How do we adapt equipment?
Arm Bikes
Handcycle types
Seating modifications
Pedal grip modifications
Brake/shifter location

23. How do we adapt equipment?
2. Kayaking
Seating modifications
Paddle grip modifications

24. How do we adapt equipment?
3. Golf
Solo rider golf cart
Seated Swing
Balance assistance
One arm swing modifications
Ergonomics
Clubs

25. How do we adapt equipment?
4. Rock Wall Climbing
Ascending devices: single or double handed
Harnesses: Hoyer like, Chair, Thoracic
Min to Max pulley assist

26. How do we adapt equipment?
5. Skiing
Mono-Ski
Bi-Ski & Tethered sit-skis
Stand up skiers with outriggers: 3 & 4 Trackers
Snowboarding
Nordic

27. How do we adapt equipment?
6. Court Sports
Wheelchairs – cambered wheels, wider base, quicker turning radius

28. How do we adapt equipment?
77. Adaptive Skating
Skates + “walkers”
Yak track treads
Sled Hockey: sit sleds + sticks= Paralympic level

29. How do we adapt equipment?
8. Therapeutic Riding
Saddle options
Rein adaptations
Stirrups or not
Transfer lift +
Wheelchair ramp
1 Lead +
2 side walkers

30. How do we adapt equipment?
Archery
Grip support
Bow support/mount
Mouth tab
Target distance

31. Case Studies: considerations & safety
Accessibility: environment, terrain, restrooms, parking
Clothing (dressing for New England weather!)
Heat and hydration prevention
Skin: seating & positioning for high contact areas
Sport specific pre-activity screens (water safety)
Equipment (helmets, braking, steering)

32. Group activity - problem solving
You will be given a participant with challenges and/or special requirements
Adapt the activity, address the following:
barriers
equipment choices and modifications
precautions before & during activity
specific benefits for your participant
Present your participant and how you have adapted the activity.

34. National Organizations: Adaptive Sport Equipment Grants:
Resources
Local SASC Partners:
Acces Sport America
CAPEable Adventures
Northeast Passage
New England Disabled Sports
Community Rowing
Community Boating
Piers Park Sailing
MA DCR Universal Access
National Organizations:
Disabled Sports USA (DSUSA)
US Paralympics & Regional Chapters
Wounded Warriors
Adaptive Sport Equipment Grants:
Challenged Athlete Foundation
Kelly Brush Foundation
Travis Roy Foundation
Community Options: Consider COA, Sr. Centers, Park & Rec, YMCA, B & G

36. Questions? Activities yield challenges + benefits
Multi-disciplinary team
Low staff: client ratio
SASC Network
Contacts:
Kathleen Comfort Salas, North Shore
extension 8835
Ali Stoll, Boston