Disabilities do not exclude handicapped individuals from enjoying the activities they love. Many individuals with disabilities have gone on to showcase their athletic ability, in part because of the support system available to these individuals. Handicapped sports leagues and events such as the Paralympic Games provide handicapped individuals with opportunities to compete. But sports are also very useful to the physical, emotional and social well-being of persons with disabilities.
General Fitness
All individuals require exercise, regardless of disability. Disabled people who are wheelchair-bound need to make sure they exercise regularly to avoid the negative effects of a sedentary lifestyle, particularly weight gain. But handicapped individuals without any skeletal or muscular disabilities can benefit from exercise. Regular exercise helps control cholesterol and blood pressure levels and keeps the heart healthy and strong. It can also improve muscle strength that has been affected by the disability and regular exercise helps bolster the immune system.
Social Interaction
Socializing is important to all people, but it can have a therapeutic benefit for individuals with disabilities. Interacting with and befriending individuals that share your experiences can make it easier to cope with your handicap while also providing a larger support system for you to lean on. Sports also help disabled persons understand the handicaps of others and how to interact with them. Leadership skills can also be gained through regular participation in sports.
Emotional Well-Being
Children in particular can suffer from feeling left out when their friends are busy participating in sports. However, inclusion of a handicapped individual into a sport filled with able-bodied persons can also be problematic, since the rules are not catered to the person's disability. Sports leagues developed specifically for handicapped individuals help children feel included, and participation can be exciting and inspiring. According to the National Institutes of Health, sports and exercise releases neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, which can improve mood and combat problems like depression, which occurs at a higher rate in persons with disabilities.
Improved Confidence
Handicapped individuals who overcome their disability and participate in an activity can gain confidence from their experience and mastery of the sport. Some disabled individuals struggle with feeling inadequate or unable to function like other individuals. Participation in sports can help them realize how much they have in common with persons without disabilities. This can build confidence when they are pursuing careers and entering a competitive workplace and world.
References
- International Wheelchair Basketball Federation Europe; Sports Benefits on Disabled Athletes; Ron Coppenrath; November 2010
- University of Phoenix; The Benefits of Playing Sports for Disabled Kids; October 2010
- "Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience'; How to Increase Serotonin in the Human Brain Without Drugs; November 2007
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