fitness

FITNESS

We recognize the importance of sports and recreation in the successful rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities. When first faced with the reality of a disability, many experience a loss of confidence, depression, and believe their lives have ended. They are often alienated from family and friends because there are no shared positive experiences. Sports and recreation offer the opportunity to achieve success in a very short time period; to use this success to build self-confidence and focus on possibilities instead of dwelling on what can no longer be done. The ability to participate in a sport, such as cycling, skiing, and sailing, to name a few, provides the opportunity to reunite with family and friends in a shared activity, while working towards optimum physical fitness.

Optimum physical fitness is defined as the condition resulting from a lifestyle that leads to the development of an optimal level of cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength and endurance, and flexibility, as well as the achievement and maintenance of ideal body weight. In addition to health related components, physical fitness programs emphasize the importance of motor performance activities such as balance, coordination, and agility. The benefits of physical activity are well established, and emerging studies continue to support an important role for a culture of fitness in maintaining health, well-being, and operational readiness. We are actively developing fitness programs that will also assist the wounded, ill, and injured warriors in achieving their optimal fitness levels.

For additional resources visit our Active Living page >>

Resources

• 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans
• Physical Activity for Everyone
• President's Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition
• Adaptive Aquatics
• Blue Star Salute
• The Blind Judo Foundation
• The Lakeshore Foundation
• The National Center on Physical Activity and Disability
• American College of Sports Medicine
• National Wheelchair Basketball Association
• Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans
• President's council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition
• US Association of Blind Athletes
• USA Swimming
• Training and Competition
• Be Active- Your Way