Answered Questions is a monthly resource for the Spanish language Disability Community that fills an information need. Each month, we look through the searches on our blog and through the information requests made by our patrons who speak Spanish and pick a topic that fills the largest need. Each resource mentioned below is associated with this month’s information need. We search the various Spanish language news sources and feeds throughout the month to bring you these articles. With the exception of the NIDRR Projects and Further Investigation, all the linked articles and resources are in Spanish – any that are in English will be clearly marked. This month’s question is: What are some of the physical benefits of recreation therapy? This edition of Answered Questions includes items that discuss new and emerging technologies relating to recreation therapy and their physical benefits, system development of sport and recreational activities for people with physical and motor disabilities, adapted swimming, how physical activity can help prevent chronic illnesses, and how looking at different perspectives can help trainers develop physical activity curricula for their clients with disabilities.
NIDRR Projects:
Interactive Exercise Technologies and Exercise Physiology for People with Disabilities (H133E120005) (En inglés)
This particular NIDRR funded Center (also known as RecTech) addresses the high rates of physical inactivity in people with disabilities through the use of new and emerging technologies. Through its advanced engineering and development program that includes research and development, capacity building, and knowledge translation/dissemination projects, RecTech promotes healthier and more active lifestyles for people with disabilities. These projects include research on determining a valid methodology for using commercially available activity monitors to estimate energy expenditure in users of manual wheelchairs; the development of standards for universal design for fitness equipment and fitness facilities that are accessible; a capacity building effort for student design coursework in exercise/recreation technology; the transfer of knowledge through a RecTech wiki; and dissemination through online newsletters that promote new knowledge in exercise science, engineering, and recreation.
Research:
Sports and Recreational Activities for People with Physical and Motor Disabilities (Monografías.com)
This research project developed a system of sport and recreational activities for the social integration of people with physical and motor disabilities. The project studied 40 people with physical and motor disabilities utilizing theoretical and empirical methods. The results showed the importance of participating in physical activities and recreation as an efficient form of integrating people with physical and motor disabilities into society.
Rehabilitation:
Disability, Swimming, and the Therapeutic Benefits (Discapacidad Deporte)
This article discusses the benefits of adapted swimming for people with disabilities. According to this article, adapted swimming helps cardiovascular functioning, strengthening, and muscle endurance. Swimming also serves as a way to provide much more independence, security and mobility, and relaxation. The article also briefly discusses adaptations for swimming.
Education:
Manual on Promoting Physical Activity for the Prevention of Chronic Illnesses (IV Simposio Nacional de Investigación y Formación en Recreación)
This manual, from the 4th National Symposium on the Research and Training on Recreation, makes recommendations on physical activity for the prevention of chronic illnesses. The manual describes why physical activity is necessary and discusses some of the chronic illnesses that can be prevented through physical activity. Types of exercises are described and are divided into exercises that can be done at home, work, and outdoors. The manual describes some of the physical and psychosocial benefits for the individual and also describes the benefits to the school community and to employers and employees.
Technology:
GoBabyGo brings mobility to children with disabilities (University of Delaware) (En inglés)
Pediatric researcher and designer Cole Galloway launched the GoBabyGo project in 2006 to help children with mobility disabilities have fun. Since its inception at the University of Delaware, GoBabyGo has developed and designed hundreds of modified racecars that provide mobility to children with mobility disabilities and empowers them to be a part of the fun at home, on the playground, or wherever they happen to be. Galloway and his team are also developing kid-friendly exoskeletons and harness systems that help children with mobility disabilities participate in sports-type activities. To see the modified racecars in action, watch this video.
Resources:
- United States – The National Center on Health, Physical Activity and Disability (NCHPAD) is a resource center that helps people with disabilities and/or chronic health conditions receive the health benefits of participating in all kinds of physical and social activities. These activities include fitness, aquatic activities, recreational and sports programs and more.
- Puerto Rico – The Therapeutic Recreation Society of Puerto Rico has a guide that describes in detail what a recreation therapist does, defines recreation therapy, describes working conditions and locations, and describes what someone needs to do to become certified as a recreation therapist.
- Colombia/Costa Rica – funlibre is a free service provided by the Fundación Colombiana de Tiempo Libre y Recreación, Fundación Latinoamericana de Tiempo Libre y Recreación, and FUNLIBRE of Costa Rica. Through funlibre’s database you can find articles in Spanish related to recreational therapy, community, culture, sports, and tourism – all relating to people with disabilities.
Further Research:
- REHABDATA:
- PubMed:
Collection Spotlight from the National Rehabilitation Information Center 