Chapter 11: Adapted Physical Activity

By Jennifer Taylor-Winney, PhD

Learning Objectives

• Understand the principles of Adapted Physical Activity (APA) and how they contribute to promoting physical activity among individuals with disabilities or other unique needs.

• Analyze the role of inclusion and social justice in the field of APA and how they aim to transform communities for people of all abilities.

• Identify practical applications of APA across various disciplines, including rehabilitation, special education, community programs, fitness, and research.

• Explore strategies for adapting physical activity programs to accommodate individuals with disabilities in diverse settings, ensuring equitable access to physical activity opportunities.

Chapter Content

Adapted Physical Activity (APA) is a specialized field that focuses on adapting current physical activity programs, providing adapted physical activity programming, and interventions for individuals with disabilities or individuals with other differences that may benefit from individualized modifications (older adults, children, cardiac rehab…). The goal of APA is to ensure that everyone, regardless of their disability or current ability level has the opportunity to engage in physical activity that is appropriate for their abilities and contributes to their overall health and well-being.

Adapted physical activity is cross disciplinary and works to promote inclusion of individuals with disabilities in all aspects of physical activity. Inclusion aims to transform communities based on social justice principles in which all community members:

Are presumed competent;

Are recruited and welcome as valued members of their community;

Fully participate and learn with their peers; and

Experience reciprocal social relationships.

There is a long history of discrimination of people with disabilities in the United States.

Please watch this TED talk below, titled “Our fight for disability rights- and why we are not done yet” by Judith Heumann, to learn more about her experience and some history on activism around disability rights.

Through better understanding of how we have historically perceived disability we can learn how to better serve individuals with disabilities in a professional setting. Please read this 2022 article by Dr. Martin Block titled “ Physical activity for individuals with disabilities through a social justice lens”

Applications of APA are broad and cross over to all disciplines within exercise science. Below are just a couple examples.

Rehabilitation: Assisting individuals in regaining skills as they recover from injuries or surgeries through targeted physical activity.

Habilitation: Helping individuals with disabilities learn new skills that may help with activities of daily living. For example, someone who has experienced a stroke and has weakness in their arm may learn a different way to put on their shoes or clothes.

Special Education: Integrating physical activity into educational programs for children with disabilities. For example a student with a disability may participate in adapted physical education (APE) where an APE teacher will develop lessons that work on developing specific skills for the individual and work with them in a small group or one on one setting. An APE teacher may also work with a general PE teacher to develop ways to modify activities to include students with disabilities in the larger general PE class.

Community Programs: Developing inclusive recreational activities and sports programs within communities. These may include specific adapted sport programs like wheelchair basketball leagues, or adapted cycling. This can also include adapting different aspects of an existing program so that someone with a disability can participate

Fitness and Wellness: Offering diverse types of equipment that can be used by individuals with different mobility needs. For example having a cable machine that can be adjusted to different angles, having a removable seat for someone who would like to remain in their wheelchair, and having appropriate space between equipment so people can easily navigate. Having visuals of the exercise instructions could be helpful for someone who has challenges processing written instructions. Adapting existing fitness classes like having a hand rail available for a step aerobics class or a hand crank odometer available for a spinning class can create a more inclusive environment.

Research: Studies in APA span the breadth of exercise science and include all of our subdisciplines. For example:

Biomechanics researchers might look at what is the most effective pattern of movement with their prosthetic for someone who has an above knee amputation or how elasticity in a joint of someone with Down Syndrome may or may not put them at risk for an overuse injury.

Exercise physiologists may study the energy expenditure of athletes participating in wheelchair rugby or factors influencing energy expenditure based on different disabilities.

Sociology and psychology of sport research might explore how self efficacy impacts someone with a disabilities ability to overcome barriers to participate in physical activity. Another example would be how coaching or volunteering for Special Olympics impacts perceptions of individuals with disabilities.

Sports nutrition research might focus on caloric needs of athletes participating in different sports or how medicines may impact hydration of athletes.

Motor behavior research could include exploring if motor delays can help diagnose Autism or how balance and strength activities can help with learning to run with a prosthetic.

Overall, APA aims to promote a high quality of life by ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to participate in physical activities that are enjoyable, beneficial, and suited to their individual needs.