The evolution of adaptive sports: from rehabilitation to competition
Adaptive sports, also known as parasports, are sports that have been adapted to allow individuals with disabilities (both physical and cognitive) to participate. These sports have come a long way since their humble beginnings in the late 19th and early 20th centuries when they were limited to rehabilitation and therapeutic settings. Today, adaptive sports have evolved into competitive sports for individuals with disabilities, allowing them to participate in sports and physical activity on a level playing field.
The Paralympic Games, established in the 1950s and 60s, have played a significant role in the evolution of adaptive sports. The first Paralympic Games were held in Rome in 1960 and featured 400 athletes from 23 countries competing in 8 sports: para-athletics, wheelchair basketball, para-swimming, para-table tennis, para-archery, snooker, dartchery, and wheelchair fencing. Since then, the Paralympic Games have grown significantly, with the 2012 London Paralympic Games featuring 4237 athletes from 164 countries competing in 20 sports.
In addition to the Paralympic Games, there are also many other international and national competitions for adaptive sports, including the World Para Athletics Championships, the World Para Swimming Championships, and the World Para Powerlifting Championships. These competitions provide a platform for elite athletes with disabilities to showcase their skills and compete at the highest level.
The evolution of adaptive sports has also led to the development of specialized equipment and technology, such as prosthetic devices, wheelchairs, adaptive bicycles, and adaptive training and practice devices. These technological advancements have allowed individuals with disabilities to participate in sports and physical activity at the highest level and have helped to break down barriers to participation, transforming disability sports from leisure activities into increasingly competitive games and making elite disabled athletes just as famous as their able-bodied counterparts.
According to De Luigi and Cooper, the population of athletes with impairments is growing with this advancement of technology in medicine and the increasing focus on physical fitness. It is important for healthcare professionals to actively inform and educate these individuals about the various opportunities available to them, and to promote safe exercise and athletic participation through counselling and education [1].
Besides the physical benefits associated with staying active and participating in sports, adaptive sports in particular also act as a support system within the community, providing the athletes with a sense of belonging and boosting their confidence. There is a significant improvement in the quality of life for athletes who participate in adaptive sports.
Diaz et al. stated that adaptive sports can serve as a complementary and connecting element in rehabilitation once traditional rehabilitation services have been completed. Disabled individuals often face a variety of physical and mental challenges on their path to recovery and adaptation. Adaptive sports not only provide an opportunity to maintain optimal physical fitness, but they can also have a positive impact on one's overall quality of life. The authors also mentioned that current studies suggest that participation in sports is linked to improvements in certain mood symptoms, body image, self-confidence, self-competence, and overall quality of life [2].
In recent years, the inclusion of adaptive sports in the mainstream has increased. The use of social media and the general public's awareness has led to more accessibility to sports for people with disabilities, as well as more funding for adaptive sports programs – providing more opportunities for individuals with disabilities to participate in sports and physical activity and has helped to promote a more inclusive and equitable society.
The world of sports is changing for the better. With the rise of adaptive sports, individuals with physical or cognitive disabilities are now able to participate in sports that may have been previously inaccessible. This shift towards inclusivity is becoming more common, and it is helping to create a more progressive environment for athletes of all kinds.
References
De Luigi, A. J., & Cooper, R. A. (2014). Adaptive sports technology and biomechanics: prosthetics. PM&R, 6, S40-S57.
Diaz, R., Miller, E. K., Kraus, E., & Fredericson, M. (2019). Impact of adaptive sports participation on quality of life. Sports medicine and arthroscopy review, 27(2), 73-82.
