What Are Adaptive Sports?
Exercise Daily – It is the type of sport that is specially recreated for people with disabilities using a wide range of activities. It has a huge impact on the life of people that are unable to cherish what a normal human can and results positively.
Adaptive sports have a long-lasting effect on the health of such people and encourage them to do something productive.
In addition to this, it uses a classification system that allows people with disabilities to participate in an even playing field with each other. However, with the help of different campaigns and detailed classification systems, they can have fair competition.
It gained popularity after the II world war, which gives the opportunity to many people with physical challenges to do something out of the box.
Moreover, the concept of adaptive sports has also increased the employment rates and more physically active lifestyles effectively.
It is also observed that regular participation has increased the overall health along with a healthy state of mind and reduced the symptoms of demoralization.
The Benefits of Adaptive Sports For People With Disabilities
The benefits of adaptive sports are worth the effort for people with physical challenges. It not only encourages or builds their confidence, but it creates a vast platform of opportunities for them in every possible.
Adaptive sports promote independence and help in making life better for people with disabilities.
When you are involved in any physical activity, it provides countless benefits to improve your physical, mental, and emotional health. Likewise, for people with disabilities, adaptive sports can do wonders.
Let’s take a look at the physical, mental, and emotional benefits you can get through adaptive sports.
1. Physical Benefits
We all know how sports are important for everyone. Similarly, adaptive sports are also highly important for people with disabilities.
No matter what sports you are involved in, it will help build your confidence, improve overall health, teach you teamwork, and facilitates socialization.
Being involved in sports is not only a test for our bodies but also our mental strength. It allows us to reach the threshold of our capabilities and thrive to flourish it. With adaptive sports, you can improve your physical health and motor function.
Involvement in sports is highly important for people with limited mobility and functionality. Exercising daily keeps you protected from several severe health issues like obesity, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, etc.
Adaptive sports can help in strengthening your bones and ligaments. Moreover, it promotes correct posture and helps fix issues related to it.
Essentially, all this needs to be done under the supervision of a specialist. They can initiate a suitable plan to conform with your fitness level while helping you control the progression of certain illnesses.
Another advantage of adaptive sports is that they will make you independent of drugs or medication by making you stronger and healthier.
2. Emotional And Mental Benefits
When you are involved in any type of sport, you will notice how your personality changes gradually. To be specific, you will notice a positive change. It will help you in establishing leadership and teamwork skills.
Adaptive Sport is an ideal opportunity for people with disabilities to showcase their talent because there were very few or no such opportunities in the past.
Adaptive Sports give them a platform where they get an opportunity to compete, win trophies and see people cheer for them.
Like any other sports, adaptive sports also teach you to embrace your loss and come back stronger the next time. This is where your mental strength is tested. Through adaptive sports, you can throw the negative energy outside of your body.
Furthermore, through sports, you learn to regulate stress and find ways to minimize it and use it for your own good. Besides, adaptive sports can leave a disabled person with impeccable confidence and pride.
Adaptive sports also make people with disabilities free from feeling alienated. They get an opportunity to connect with others, feel less alone and develop a sense of independence and inclusion.
How Can You Start Playing Adaptive Sports?
Many people, when thinking about playing adaptive sports, first feel the sense of intimidation and find it hard to get into a team. As a Medical Patient Advocate says,
“I can tell you one of the most common reasons people give for not participating is that they didn’t know that a certain sport or activity was an option.”
You can play almost any sports you like! These sports include wheelchair cycling, golf, wheelchair basketball, football, softball, sitting volleyball, archery, etc. We will discuss more of these in detail in the subsequent section.
The real reason why many people with disabilities do not participate in any adaptive sports is a lack of awareness. They don’t know how many resources are there in their community that can help them make their debut possible.
Besides, another reason is the lack of proper equipment. If you, too, are worried about this, then don’t! Plenty of teams have sports equipment that they can loan or, if you are fortunate enough, give you.
Moreover, you can also contact Challenged Athletes Foundation. It is a non-profitable organization that can offer the grant to help you buy your own equipment, connect to teams, and get support.
In addition, you can take a look at this compiled list of resources and grants for people with disabilities. It will help you in getting a better understanding of things.
Read: What Can I Do With A Nutrition Degree
Different Adaptive Sports You Can Play
You might get surprised by seeing the number of sportspeople with disabilities who can play. Besides, we will try to give you details of the organization that can help you get into the specific sports.
1. Cycling
In this competition, modified bikes are used. To ensure optimal stability and comfort, tricycles with special seats and modified handlebars are used. You can try hand cycling while seated if you find it hard to pedal a cycle or to stay upright.
Besides, for people with hearing and visual disabilities, tandem cycling is a safe and suitable option.
The related groups you can connect with are following:
2. Horseback Riding
This therapy can help in improving physical, emotional, social, sensory, and cognitive well-being. Search for the following programs:
- Therapeutic horsemanship.
- Therapeutic horseback riding.
- Equine-assisted therapy.
- Hippotherapy.
The related groups you can connect with are following:
3. Sitting Volleyball
The rules are similar to stand-up volleyball, and the difference is that you sit on the ground in this type of volleyball. It includes a shorted net and smaller court, and while hitting the ball, one buttock must remain in contact with the ground.
The related groups you can connect with are following:
4. Wheelchair Basketball
Only people with different physical disabilities can access wheelchair basketball. The rules are similar to the standard basketball, with a few variations.
The related groups you can connect with are following:
5. Paddling
Paddling sports like rowing, rafting, kayaking, and canoeing are also suitable for people with disabilities.
The related groups you can connect with are following:
Other Adaptive Sports
- Archery.
- Sailing.
- Bocce.
- Scuba.
- Bowling.
- Softball.
- Table tennis.
- Water skiing.
- Fencing.
- Shooting.
- Fishing.
- Pool
- Hunting.
Also Read: What is Sports Chiropractor and Why Should Every Athlete See One
Bottom Line
Acknowledging the importance of a specialist is also crucial while participating in any of the above-mentioned adaptive sports.
There are a number of groups that can help open the doors of opportunities for you to enjoy sports and recreate activities. They are the following:
