Special Needs Fitness Programs

1. How Special Needs Fitness Programs Should Be Structured For Success And Effectiveness Special needs fitness programs are mostly designed for the children with special needs but they can also work for any other person who suffers from physical impairment. The basic line in designed fitness programs for persons with special needs is that there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’. The level of impairment tends to vary from one person to the other. Even of a group of people suffers from impairment of, say for example the limbs, the causal factors of those conditions may be different in each of them. In other words, the special needs fitness training should be individualized. The first step should be evaluating the general health of the person and the nature and degree of impairment. If subjected to the conventional training methods or forms, the exercises will do more harm than good to them. Some of the common conditions which can be managed by special exercises include Spina Bifida, Stroke victims, Scoliosis, High blood pressure, diabetes, Down syndrome, sensory pressing disorders, ADHD, and Autism among many others.

2. What should be included in the fitness programs? Aerobic exercises: Depending on the nature of condition, the fitness programs for persons with special needs may include aerobic exercises for the development and maintenance of strong and healthy heart. These exercises also increase the capacity of the lungs. Stretching exercises: General stretching exercises are important in the general health and fitness of persons with special needs. They can be done in any position whether the person is standing or seated. They help increase the flow of blood and most importantly, they help improve and maintain flexibility. Weight exercises: These are important for the strengthening of the muscles. The goal of the weight exercises for person with special needs should be to achieve and maintain stabilization of the core. Since this training is individualized, it is wise if the person with special needs hires a personal nutritionist and trainer to decide on the right exercises and the right nutrition to achieve the desired fitness goals. The goals of the training should be to improve the functional living skills with the aim of promoting positive social interaction.