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Sports for the physically challenged child.
William M Wind1, Richard M Schwend, Judy Larson
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA.
The Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
|April 20, 2004
Summary
Sports participation benefits physically challenged children, enhancing physical and emotional well-being. Understanding preparticipation evaluations, equipment, and risks is crucial for safe athletic engagement.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Sports Medicine
- Rehabilitation Science
- Disability Studies
Background:
- Sports participation is vital for the physical and emotional health of children with disabilities.
- Athletic activities enhance strength, endurance, cardiopulmonary fitness, self-esteem, and social connection.
- Growing interest necessitates comprehensive guidance for safe sports engagement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline the importance of sports for physically challenged children.
- To detail essential considerations for preparticipation evaluations and athletic options.
- To provide guidelines for safe and effective sports participation.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature and expert recommendations.
- Identification of common congenital and developmental disabilities relevant to sports.
- Synthesis of information on specialized equipment and sport-specific risks.
Main Results:
- Sports participation offers significant physical and emotional benefits for children with disabilities.
- Key considerations include preparticipation evaluations, adaptive equipment, and risk management.
- Established guidelines exist for conditions like Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and myelodysplasia.
Conclusions:
- Physicians, therapists, and families need to be informed about sports participation for children with special needs.
- Tailored approaches are necessary to ensure safe and beneficial athletic experiences.
- Further research can optimize sports programs for diverse physical challenges.