Winter Sports for the Amputee Athlete

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Winter Sports for the Amputee Athlete Winter Sports for the Amputee Athlete by Doug Pringle Organized participation in winter sports by Skiing offers a unique opportunity as a sport people with disabilities has a relatively short that can be done with family and friends in a history. It began in the early 1950s when am­ facility open to the public. In that sense it is a putee veterans of World War II began to exper­ mainstreamed activity done with everyone else iment with skiing despite the loss of limbs. The rather than in a special facility. West Germans are credited with the invention Finally, there is something wonderful and of the outrigger, a crutch with ski tips attached, invigorating about the freedom of movement, which are used as balance assistors. This in­ speed, risk, and the natural environment of vention helped popularize the sport and several skiing. All these add to the experience. amputee ski clubs were formed in the United Skiing is the only winter sport offered to States. people with disabilities through formal pro­ During the late 50s and early 60s, amputee grams. These programs offer adaptive equip­ skiing was the mainstay of the sport. It was ment, qualified instruction and a competition during the late sixties and early seventies that system. Participation in other winter sports is others with one "bad" leg, such as polio not extensive. victims, began to ski using the technique devel­ oped for amputees. It was also during this time that amputees began experimenting with skiing with a prosthesis. Simultaneously, visually impaired people began to participate and the sport began to in­ Downhill Skiing clude more than amputees. In the late 70s, the Alpine Skiing major innovation was development of the Alpine (or downhill) skiing is the most pop­ "Four-Track" technique, which allowed many ular winter sport of people with disabilities in types of severely disabled people to ski. the United States. There are approximately The 1980s have contributed the technique 10,000 disabled skiers. The sport offers unique known as 'sit skiing.' This technique allows benefits to participants who are mobility im­ people who are wheelchair bound to participate paired, not the least of which is that gravity in the sport. supplies the means for movement. The benefits of participation in skiing are nu­ The development of adaptive equipment and merous. Physically the participant develops techniques has made it possible for even the se­ stamina, strength, balance, and coordination. verely disabled to participate. Adaptive skiing These are all valuable physical traits for a is divided into five major categories or tech­ person trying to compensate for a physical niques: problem. Psychologically, participants begin to de­ 1. Three track skiing velop a positive self-image and a "can do" at­ 2. Four track skiing titude. This positive thought cycle carries over 3. Blind skiing into other aspects of life such as education and 4. Sit skiing employment. 5. Other adaptive techniques Three Track Skiing the task becomes one of guiding or talking them down the hill. Above-knee and below-knee amputees, No adaptive equipment is required for the vi­ persons with polio or birth defects, and those sually impaired. Often the student and in­ with a variety of other problems, ski three track structor (or guide) wear bright bibs which in which the common element is having one signal to other skiers to be alert. good leg and two good arms. Above-knee am­ putees ski without their prosthesis because it is difficult to control. Below-knee amputees can ski with their prosthesis. The advantage is that Sit Skiing they can stand on it when stopped. The disad­ Sit skiing is the technique used by anyone vantage is increased risk of injury. who cannot ski standing. Sit skiers include Adaptive equipment for three trackers are people with muscular dystrophy, multiple scle­ outriggers. Outriggers are forearm crutches rosis, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, paraplegia, with ski tips attached. They act as balance as- and quadraplegia. This technique has been used sistors and are used to "walk" on the flats. since 1980 and it has opened skiing to people Three track skiing derives its name from the who are wheelchair bound. three tracks made in the snow by two outriggers The sit ski has a fiberglass shell and metal and the single ski. edges. It is steered by leaning the body and by Some three trackers, especially racers, learn dragging a "pole" on the side to which the to ski with ski poles instead of outriggers. In skier wants to turn. An instructor skies behind fact, that is how people with one leg skied be­ the device holding a length of nylon mesh cord fore the invention of outriggers. While more in order to stop the skier and to assist with turns difficult, "one tracking" is also a possibility when necessary. Sit skiers often become profi­ for many and skiing with poles is an advanced cient enough to ski "untethered" or without instructional method. the instructor and safety line. The most recent development in sit skiing is the mono-ski. Here the fiberglass shell is Four Track Skiing mounted on a single ski and the skier uses out­ riggers. Use of a mono-ski requires good upper Four track skiing is used by people with a body strength. Therefore, it is a technique that wide variety of disabilities including: double is not suitable to quadraplegics and high-level leg amputees, spina bifida, cerebral palsy, paraplegics. muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, stroke, head trauma, paraplegia, and polio. An indi­ vidual with two legs and arms, natural or pros­ thetic, who is capable of standing indepen­ Other Adaptive Techniques dently (static balance), or with the aid of out­ riggers, could use this method. Many severely This catch-all category is used for a variety disabled people ski using this technique. of people with disabilities who don't fit into any of the other four. Among them are upper In addition to outriggers, a lateral stability extremity impairment: people who have lost the device is often used. This device is commonly use of one or both arms. Those with one good referred to as a "ski bra." It helps keep the arm use one ski pole and a pole can also be skiis parallel and also allows the student's used with an arm prosthesis. strong side to help control the weaker side. Below-knee amputees may choose to ski using their artificial leg or legs. A heel line is usually necesary to achieve a bent knee posi­ Blind Skiing tion. Waist straps and thigh lacers help provide Visually impaired students are taught the lateral stability, a snug fit, and reduced pis- same as any other skier with the exception that toning and rotation. A special ski leg can be the instructor must learn to communicate more made if the student decides to seriously pursue clearly. A number of holds or assists have been skiing. developed as well. Once the student can ski, The combination of disabilities and adaptive equipment are numerous. In competitions, 4405 East West Highway, Suite 603 some 19 different classes are recognized. But, Bethesda, MD 20814 generally, most people ski using one of the four major techniques. U.S. Association of Blind Athletes Professional Ski Instructors of America Instruction 5541 Central Ave. Boulder, CO 80301 There are a number of programs of ski in­ struction available. Most are voluntary, Alpine Skiing, contact: weekend programs. There are five full-time Vineland National Center professional ski schools which specialize in P.O. Box 308 adaptive skiing and about 25 voluntary ones. Loretto, MN 55357 All but a few of these programs are chapters or affiliates of the National Handicapped Sports and Recreation Association (NHSRA). The NHSRA has also developed a clinic Nordic Skiing team which trains instructors in adaptive ski teaching. The team also advises on program de­ Nordic (or cross country) skiing is also pop­ livery. There is an instructor testing and certifi­ ular among people with disabilities. Since the cation program conducted by NHSRA which is sport does require more muscular effort for mo­ approved and recognized by the Professional tion than Alpine skiing, it is not an option for Ski Instructors of America. some severely disabled individuals. Among the participants are amputees skiing with their prosthesis and some who ski on one leg. Those on one leg must rely upon upper Competition body strength and use their poles to push them­ A natural outgrowth of participation in sports selves along. is the development of competition. A very well Nordic skiing is well suited for the visually developed system is in place. Learn to Race impaired. They may ski with a guide or follow clinics and training camps are conducted by a pre-set tracks in the snow. few of the instructional programs locally and Some more severely disabled people who by the NHSRA nationally. would be four-trackers in Alpine skiing, such Those interested in competition can race in as those with cerebral palsy, muscular dys­ any number of programs open to the public trophy, multiple sclerosis, stroke, head injury, such as NASTAR and United States Ski Asso­ etc., can also participate in Nordic skiing if ciation races. Further, there are ten sanctioned they are able to ambulate well. Some will re­ regional championships at which racers can quire assistance, pushing or pulling with a qualify for the nationals. rope, and frequent rest breaks are always a safe Both the NHSRA and U.S. Association of practice. Blind Athletes conduct annual national champi­ There is a sit ski for Nordic skiing. The sit onships. Both organizations also select athletes skier will need excellent upper body strength to for the U.S.
Recommended publications
  • Hoist to Transfer Athletes from Wheelchair Into a Kayak
    Hoist to Transfer Athletes from Wheelchair into a Kayak Team Members: Jennifer Batryn Javier Mendez Kyle Mooney Sponsors: Team Advisors: Maggie Palchak, Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra Program Sarah Harding, Cal Poly Mechanical Engineering Department Coordinator Dr. Kevin Taylor, Cal Poly Kinesiology Department E.L. Smoogen, Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra Dr. Brian Self, Cal Poly Mechanical Engineering Department June 7, 2013 Team Kayakity Quacks California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo [email protected] Statement of Disclaimer Since this project is a result of a class assignment, it has been graded and accepted as fulfillment of the course requirements. Acceptance does not imply technical accuracy or reliability. Any use of information in this report is done at the risk of the user. These risks may include catastrophic failure of the device or infringement of patent or copyright laws. California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo and its staff cannot be held liable for any use or misuse of the project. 2 Team Kayakity Quacks California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo [email protected] Table of Contents 1 - Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 7 2 - Background Research ................................................................................................................ 8 2.1 Kayak Design ...................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO USE a WHEELCHAIR Toolkit for the Fitness Professional Table of Contents
    FITNESS ASSESSMENTS FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO USE A WHEELCHAIR Toolkit for the Fitness Professional Table of Contents Introduction to Fitness Assessments 4 What are Fitness Assessments 4 Why are Fitness Assessments Important 4 What Will Your Client Need 4-5 Assessments Defined 5 Order of Tests 5 Preparation for Fitness Assessments 6 Pre Assessment 6 Types of Fitness Assessments 6 Cardiovascular Testing 7 Arm Ergometer Test 7-9 Six-Minute Push Test 9-10 Muscular Strength Testing 10 Medicine Ball Throw Test 10-11 Handgrip Test 11-12 One-Repetition Maximum Test 12-13 Muscular Endurance Testing 14 Push-Up Test 14 Curl Up Test 15-16 Balance Testing 16 Seated Balance Test 16-17 Modified Functional Reach Test 18 Flexibility Testing 19 Shoulder (Range of Motion) Flexibility Test 19-20 Back Scratch Test 20 Body Composition Testing 21 Circumference Measurements 21-23 2 Fitness Assessments for Individuals who use a Wheelchair DEXA 23-26 BIA 26 Disability Awareness 27 Are you KnowledgeABLE 27 Disability Etiquette 28-29 References 30-34 Assessment Recording Resources 35 VO2max Arm Ergometer Test Recording Sheet 35 Six-Minute Push Test Recording Sheet 36 Medicine Ball Throw Test Recording Sheet 37 Handgrip Test Recording Sheet 39 One-Repetition Maximum Test Recording Sheet 40 Push-Up/Curl Up Test Recording Sheet 41-42 Seated Balance Test Recording Sheet 43 Modified Functional Reach Test Recording Sheet 44 Shoulder (ROM) Flexibility Test Recording Sheet 45 Circumference Measurements Test Recording Sheet 46 DEXA Test Recording Sheet 48 BIA Test Recording Sheet 49 To Watch a Video Series on How To Conduct These Tests go to www.nchpad.org/fitnesstesting.
    [Show full text]
  • Winter Sports and Your Feet
    Winter Sports And Your Feet Winter's Own Sports Under the pastoral beauty of a blanket of fresh-fallen snow, the outdoors beckons. For a while, winter doesn't feel quite so cold, and people of all ages feel a sense of youthful excitement about bundling up and getting outside. From the downhill rush of snow skiing or sledding, to rough-and-tumble ice hockey or placid casual skating, winter provides a fast track for fun and cardiovascular health. In the absence of long, sunny days, winter sports provide the exercise active Americans otherwise couldn't get without being cooped up in a gym. High speeds attained on skis and skates make for exhilarating sports but expose the body to injuries. Healthy feet and ankles, which act together as accelerators, steering, brakes, and shock absorbers in winter sports, are not only crucial to success in competition but also help keep the body upright and out of the emergency room. Any problems with the foot or ankle could have serious repercussions for winter sports participants. Preventing Cold Feet Without warm, dry clothes, any wintertime outdoor activity is a potential health risk. Proper footwear--insulated, waterproof boots or shoes--is as important as coats, hats, or gloves in the outdoors during the winter. Socks are also important. Podiatric physicians recommend a single pair of thick socks made of acrylic fibers, or a blend including them, that "wick" away moisture caused by perspiration in the boot. Feet soaked in snow should get back indoors quickly. In sub-freezing temperatures, soaked feet are in immediate danger of frostbite, a serious, painful condition that can result in loss of toes.
    [Show full text]
  • Wheelchair Page 9 Page 11 Page 13
    AMIGO Amigo Mobility International sold the first motorized shopping cart in 1970 just two years after Amigo was founded. It was in 1968 when Al Thieme invented the first three-wheel personal mobility vehicle for a person living with multiple sclerosis. ValueShopper ValueShopper XL SmartShopper Page 3 Page 5 Page 7 SmartChair SmartChair XT Wheelchair Page 9 Page 11 Page 13 Move more with our material handling carts, Page 21 With our roots planted in healthcare, finding quality solutions for mobility needs has become our passion. We have over half a century’s worth of experience in designing and manufacturing products that serve others, and our pace of innovation continues to accelerate. TM TM From the creation of a single healthcare unit, Amigo has DEX DEX PRO+ grown to include a robust grocery and retail division and is now expanding into material handling. Moving more is our DEX PRO TM business, and our mission continues to be Improving Lives Through Mobility®. MAX TM MAX PRO TM ValueShopper “Wow” isn’t an expression you might expect when talking about motorized shopping carts, but we’ve heard it. You lift the ValueShopper seat to see the inner workings of one of the world’s most popular models and you get it. The front drive motor has modular components that keep things simple and sensible – only replace the parts you need, not the whole motor. A front drive motor features a tight turning radius so shoppers can navigate aisles with ease. Match your ValueShoppers to your decor: Front drive, most popular 3 amigoshopper.com Commercial Product Guide ValueShopper XL So hefty! Who doesn’t appreciate the deals buying in bulk provide? Know any people with limited mobility that know the value of stocking up? So do we, and the ValueShopper XL can accommodate large merchandise.
    [Show full text]
  • Wheelchair Racing 101
    Wheelchair Racing 101 Tami English Seattle Adaptive Sports [email protected] www.seattleadaptivesports.org Track Chair Basics • What do we need? – Race chair • Can be obtained by contacting the adapted sports program on the East or West side of the state. – Gloves • Can be obtained by contacting the adapted sports program on the East or West side of the state or ordered directly from Sportaid.com. – Helmet • Can be any standard bike helmet Basics of Pushing • It is completely different from a standard day chair push, but very similar to the A’s and B’s of running • If the handrim is a clock, the push starts at 1:00- 2:00 and continues on around to the bottom of the handrim, releasing at 6:00-7:00. • The arm extends behind in full extension, then flexes and “punches” the handrim again at 1:00- 2:00 YouTube Videos • Seattle Adaptive Sport Channel Track/Field Instructional (1) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbVZBJu4LTQ Track/Field Instructional (2) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMq6i7MoshQ • National Alliance for Youth Sports Coaching Youth with Disabilities http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7E7E3BB9E22DA793 • Scot Hollonbeck – Track Athlete/Coach Wheelchair Stroke http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgtJO_YRVng Racing Gear Bag http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHYA5mUxcrk Wheelchair Transfer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuTu_2-ZhgE • Wheelchair Racing in Slow Motion http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvPTBBZExDI Emerging Elite Athletes http://www.teamusa.org/US-Paralympics/Sports/Track-and-Field How is this different from Special Olympics? • These athletes have a primary diagnosis of a physical disability and would not qualify for Special Olympics.
    [Show full text]
  • Basic Questions About World Winter Games
    BASIC QUESTIONS ABOUT WORLD WINTER GAMES Irena Martínková Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Charles University in Prague José Martího 31, 162 52 Praha 6, Czech Republic [email protected] Abstract This paper asks three basic questions concerning world winter games (Winter Olympic Games and related events). I shall point at the features of these games that we usually take for granted. The three basic questions asked in this text will concern the three main words from the title: ‘world’, ‘winter’, and ‘games’. Firstly, I shall ask questions about what winter sport means, which is related to the origin of the Winter Olympic Games at the beginning of the 20th century. Secondly, I shall highlight the topic of internationality concerning winter games, which has always been problematic. Thirdly, I shall explain why Olympic Games are ‘Games’ and not ‘Sports’. Here, I shall present the distinction between ‘Olympic Games’ and ‘world championships’, which was an important distinction for Pierre de Coubertin and his followers, but which has now almost disappeared. Introduction This paper examines the topic of world winter games. World winter games are international events that comprise winter sport competitions, but are considered to be more than the sum of sport competitions, and as such are called ‘games’. These include mainly the Winter Olympic Games, but not exclusively – they also relate to Winter Paralympic Games, Winter Youth Olympic Games as well as the European Youth Olympic Festivals, since these events are based on the concepts of Olympism. Presently, the Winter Olympic Games, being one of the world’s most important sport events, influences our thinking about sport in general, as well as about winter sports.
    [Show full text]
  • Two Centuries of Wheelchair Design, from Furniture to Film
    Enwheeled: Two Centuries of Wheelchair Design, from Furniture to Film Penny Lynne Wolfson Submitted in partial fulfillment of the Requirements for the degree Master of Arts in the History of the Decorative Arts and Design MA Program in the History of the Decorative Arts and Design Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum, Smithsonian Institution and Parsons The New School for Design 2014 2 Fall 08 © 2014 Penny Lynne Wolfson All Rights Reserved 3 ENWHEELED: TWO CENTURIES OF WHEELCHAIR DESIGN, FROM FURNITURE TO FILM TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS i PREFACE ii INTRODUCTION 1 CHAPTER 1. Wheelchair and User in the Nineteenth Century 31 CHAPTER 2. Twentieth-Century Wheelchair History 48 CHAPTER 3. The Wheelchair in Early Film 69 CHAPTER 4. The Wheelchair in Mid-Century Films 84 CHAPTER 5. The Later Movies: Wheelchair as Self 102 CONCLUSION 130 BIBLIOGRAPHY 135 FILMOGRAPHY 142 APPENDIX 144 ILLUSTRATIONS 150 4 List of Illustrations 1. Rocking armchair adapted to a wheelchair. 1810-1830. Watervliet, NY 2. Pages from the New Haven Folding Chair Co. catalog, 1879 3. “Dimension/Weight Table, “Premier” Everest and Jennings catalog, April 1972 4. Screen shot, Lucky Star (1929), Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell 5. Man in a Wheelchair, Leon Kossoff, 1959-62. Oil paint on wood 6. Wheelchairs in history: Sarcophagus, 6th century A.D., China; King Philip of Spain’s gout chair, 1595; Stephen Farffler’s hand-operated wheelchair, ca. 1655; and a Bath chair, England, 18th or 19th century 7. Wheeled invalid chair, 1825-40 8. Patent drawing for invalid locomotive chair, T.S. Minniss, 1853 9.
    [Show full text]
  • Americans with Disabilities Act Transition Plan
    Americans with Disabilities Act Transition Plan December 2012 City of Hobart ADA Coordinator Mike Hannigan, Building Commissioner 414 Main Street City of Hobart, IN 46342 1 COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HOBART, INDIANA 2 Resolution Number 2012-30 3 4 A Resolution Approving, Adopting and Making 5 ADA Transition Plan Effective for the City of Hobart 6 7 8 WHEREAS, the Common Council (“Council”) of the City of Hobart, Indiana (“City”) 9 has been advised that the City is obligated to prepare, adopt and make effective in the City a 10 Transition Plan for the implementation of physical pedestrian improvements within the public 11 rights of way of the City as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (“ADA”), as 12 amended, (42 U.S.C §12101, et seq.); and 13 WHEREAS, a draft of such Transition Plan has been under development since early in 14 2012 and has been compiled by Mike Hannigan, Building Official of the City and Jake 15 Dammarell, City Project Manager, such final draft being attached hereto and made a part hereof; 16 and 17 WHEREAS, by the adoption of Ordinance 2011-39 on December 7, 2011, the Council 18 assigned the Building Department as the ADA compliance program for the City, and designated 19 the City Building Commissioner as ADA Coordinator; and 20 WHEREAS, the Council desires to approve, adopt and make such plan effective in the 21 City through this Resolution. 22 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Common Council of the City of Hobart as 23 follows: 24 The Americans with Disabilities Act Transition Plan, which is attached hereto, is adopted 25 and approved, in all respects, and is hereby made effective in the City of Hobart, according to its 26 terms, forthwith.
    [Show full text]
  • Power-Assist Wheelchair Attachment Catherine Van Blommestein
    Santa Clara University Scholar Commons Mechanical Engineering Senior Theses Engineering Senior Theses 6-12-2019 Power-Assist Wheelchair Attachment Catherine van Blommestein Ryan Boyce Rosemary Cole Matthew aM rks Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarcommons.scu.edu/mech_senior Part of the Mechanical Engineering Commons POWER‒ASSIST WHEELCHAIR ATTACHMENT By Catherine van Blommestein, Ryan Boyce, Rosemary Cole, and Matthew Marks SENIOR DESIGN PROJECT REPORT Submitted to the Department of Mechanical Engineering of SANTA CLARA UNIVERSITY in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering Santa Clara, California 2019 Abstract This senior design project sought to combine the best characteristics of manual and power wheelchairs by creating a battery-powered attachment to propel a manual wheelchair. The primary customer needs were determined to be affordability, portability, and travel on uneven surfaces. After the initial prototype, using a hub motor proved unsuccessful, so a second design was developed that consisted of a gear reduction motor and drive wheel connected to the back of the wheelchair by a trailing arm that could be easily attached/detached from the frame. The prototype of the second design succeeded in meeting most of the project goals related to cost, off-road capability, inclines, and range. Improvements can be made by reducing the attachment weight and improving user control of the device. iii Acknowledgements The team would like to acknowledge the important contributions that the following parties made towards the success of this project: ● Drs. Robert Marks, Tony Restivo, and Don Riccomini for their guidance and patience throughout the year ● Donald MacCubbin and Calvin Sellers for their time and expertise in the machine shop ● Stryker Endoscopy for their generosity with building a custom sprocket ● Pacific Heat Treatment for their high quality services, quick turnaround time, and generosity iv Table of Contents 1.
    [Show full text]
  • Performance Parameters in Competitive Alpine Skiing Disciplines of Slalom, Giant Slalom and Super-Giant Slalom
    International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health Article Performance Parameters in Competitive Alpine Skiing Disciplines of Slalom, Giant Slalom and Super-Giant Slalom Lidia B. Alejo 1,2 , Jaime Gil-Cabrera 1,3, Almudena Montalvo-Pérez 1 , David Barranco-Gil 1 , Jaime Hortal-Fondón 1 and Archit Navandar 1,* 1 Faculty of Sports Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, C/Tajo, s/n, 28670 Madrid, Spain; [email protected] (L.B.A.); [email protected] (J.G.-C.); [email protected] (A.M.-P.); [email protected] (D.B.-G.); [email protected] (J.H.-F.) 2 Instituto de Investigación Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), 28041 Madrid, Spain 3 Royal Spanish Winter Sports Federation, 28703 San Sebastian de los Reyes, Spain * Correspondence: [email protected] Abstract: The objective of this study was to describe the kinematic patterns and impacts in male and female skiers in the super-giant slalom, giant slalom and slalom disciplines of an international alpine skiing competition using a portable Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) technology device. Fifteen skiers (males, n = 9, females, n = 6) volunteered to participate in this study. Data acquisition was carried out using a wireless inertial measurement device (WIMUTM PRO: hybrid location system GNSS at 18 Hz with a precision locator UltraWideband UWD (<10 cm) and 3D accelerometers 1000 Hz) where distances covered in different speed and acceleration thresholds and Citation: B. Alejo, L.; Gil-Cabrera, J.; impacts above 5g were recorded in each of the disciplines. Male and female alpine skiers showed Montalvo-Pérez, A.; Barranco-Gil, D.; different physical parameters and impacts even though they competed in the same courses in the Hortal-Fondón, J.; Navandar, A.
    [Show full text]
  • Adapted Nordic Skiing Version 1.0 022316
    ADAPTED NORDIC SKIING The NWBA recommends that wheelchair basketball be introduced as an inte- grated sport open to all students regardless of the presence of a disability. This will increase the number of potential athletes and insure the potential for GUIDELINESadequate numbers to field a team. VERSION 1.0 ABOUT ATHLETICS FOR ALL History The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) of the S.U. Department of Education issued a Dear Colleague Letter on January 25, 2013 clarifying elementary, secondary, and postsecondary level schools’ responsibilities under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Rehab Act) to provide extracurricular athletic opportunities for students with disabilities. The guidance clarifies when and how schools should include students with disabilities in mainstream interscholastic athletic programs, defines what true equal treatment of student athletes with disabilities means, and urges schools to create adapted interscholastic athletic programs for students with disabilities. The OCR Dear Colleague Letter helps clarify the existing regulations and statue under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Rehab Act) to provide interscholastic, club, and intramural athletics for students with disabilities. The Rehab Act protects the rights of students with disabilities from discrimination in educational programs and activities in colleges and universities. The Rehab Act requires that students with disabilities be provided equal opportunity for participation in interscholastic, club, and intramural athletic programs offered by a school.
    [Show full text]
  • Guide to Adapting a Snowdon Push Wheelchair
    Guide to adapting a Snowdon Push Wheelchair The route The route you will be taking for the Snowdon Push is approximately 8 miles long. You will begin on a short length of tarmac pathway at the base and continue on mixed narrow rock, gravel track and rock staircase. The gradient can be severe and slippery, even in dry weather. You will be going in both directions, so bear this in mind when designing and strengthening your ‘chariot’. The team Teams will normally consist of 10 to 16 able-bodied members, plus one SCI person in the chair. The chair: Strength Wheels and frame must be strong enough to survive 16 miles of rough terrain, including bumping up and down rocky steps around 30 centimetre sin height. Be sure not too burden the team with too much excess weight to transport up and down the mountain. Brakes Brakes are essential to help slow the downward journey. Discs are best, but bicycle style rim brakes are effective. Holding onto the tyre or push rims CAN cause blisters and serious injury. If you have no brakes, then consider having more team members on the ropes to assist with slowing down on the downward trip. Wheels Heavy duty spokes, mountain bike tyres, tubes filled with ‘slime’ are the best options here, as wheels take the worst hit when climbing. Designs of 2, 3 or 4 wheels are probably your safest option. Small castor wheels on the front are useless on the rough terrain, and in some instances can get caught on rocks and in gullies.
    [Show full text]