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Vol. 38, No. 18 |
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4-21-2004 Adapted Recreational Sports provides outlet for those with disabilitiesIts Web site touts the Adapted Recreational Sports program at Ohio State as “Another Way To Play!” But for some, it’s the only way to play. The Department of Recreational Sports program provides the support necessary for university and community individuals and their children with disabilities to actively participate in sport, recreation and daily living programs. OSU students serve as the instructors. Children and adults alike relish the opportunity to interact with enthusiastic college students who become their friends as well as instructors, said Heidi Keller, coordinator of the Adapted Recreational Sports program. “For many of those enrolled in ARS classes, this is their main social outlet. For others, it is their only outlet,” Keller said. ARS was started in the early 1980s to provide an opportunity for community members with disabilities to use the Larkins Hall facilities. The program is designed to increase independence in recreation and leisure activity, develop socialization skills during recreation, and increase levels of physical fitness, including flexibility, range of motion, muscle strength and endurance, and cardiovascular fitness. Keller said that ARS has grown from 10 to 50 participants per quarter since she became coordinator three years ago. A growing number of faculty and staff — and their children — with disabilities are enrolling. A menu of classes, mostly held evenings, is available for those who have physical, cognitive, developmental and emotional disabilities, Keller said. The most popular is Children’s Adapted Aquatics, a recreation therapy based program held in the therapy pool. The class provides an environment in which individuals with disabilities — from ages six months to 17 years — can enjoy water games while enhancing physical fitness, health, social skills and independence in recreational and leisure activities. Participants learn water safety and fundamental swimming skills. Other programs offered are: • Arthritis Water Exercise, held once a week in the Larkins Hall therapy pool, which is kept at a relaxing 90-degree temperature. The purpose is to provide an environment for university and community individuals with arthritis to enhance physical fitness through aquatic recreation. Studies have shown that water exercise can help restore or maintain strength and range of motion in certain muscle groups, increase body awareness and improve body image, Keller said. • Adult Open Aquatics, held two nights per week in the Larkins Hall 50-meter pool. Open lap swimming, leisure swimming or competitive training are offered. The goal is to improve muscle strength and endurance and increase flexibility, range of motion and cardiovascular fitness. • MS Water Exercise, held two evenings per week in the 50-meter pool. The class provides monitored, certified instruction in an exercise activity in water for persons with multiple sclerosis. The weightlessness that occurs in water helps a person with weakened limbs attain a greater range of motion. In addition, chest-high water can provide support, enabling many persons with MS to stand and maintain balance for exercises with less effort than on land. • Open Tennis, available one night each week in the Jesse Owens Recreational Center West Tennis Center. • Weight Training, held two evenings per week in the Larkins Hall strength training room. The class provides an opportunity to engage in physical activity within a recreational weight-training program. The cost per ARS activity is $60/per quarter for faculty, staff or community members; OSU students can participate at no charge and must present their Buck ID each time. Fees must be paid at the time of registration. OSU students, faculty and staff who participate in any of these classes may obtain class credit. For details, contact Keller at 688-3693 or keller.185@osu.edu, or visit the Web at www.ohiostaterecsports.org \0
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