Establishing Adapted Gymnastics As a Service Learning Activity in a Dpt Program
Background and Purpose: Children with disabilities can be less active with limited involvement in sports or fitness.1-2 Those in adapted sports improve physical activity, self-confidence, socialization, community participation, and self-perceived quality of life.1-2 Student volunteers in these sports positively impact the community, improve confidence working with children, and enhance problem-solving.3-5. They also improve critical thinking and interpersonal skills.4-5
Case Description: Adapted Gymnastics (AG) is run by MU PT at a local facility. Children with various impairments do modified gymnastics and gross motor activities. Health profession students volunteer and assist children as needed and provide positive feedback. MU PT students are “Leaders” who assist those with significant behavioral or physical impairments. Each semester, coaches complete training: professional behaviors, common diagnosis and impairments, safety, use of equipment, how to motivate, engage and assist children, & session structure. AG meets 25 sessions/year in 2 groups: 3-6 yr olds and 7-18. Each participant takes their “tag” with name, diagnosis, impairments, precautions and strengths to their coaches. Student Directors lead a warm-up: stretches, running, jumping jacks, jumping, balance activities, and listening skills. Groups then rotate every 7 minutes (bars and beam, parachute, Simon Says = motor skills, gymnastic skills and tumbling, trampoline and foam pit). Directors monitor safety, provide assistance, answer questions, and demonstrate ways to engage children. They set up an obstacle course, made up of mats and equipment and, if time, there is dancing, motor games or gymnasts demonstrate skill.
Outcomes: On average 55 children, 110 coaches and 34 PT students participated each semester since fall 2014. Surveys were completed by 34 caregivers using 10cm VAS converted to numerical scores (0 =not good, 10 =very positive). Overall feeling about AG: 9.4; Benefits: Overall 9.0; Physical 8.7; Social 8.4. Cited improved socialization and relationships with peers, increased activity, being part of a sport, improved motor/mobility skills and increased child confidence. 40 coaches using VAS (0-10) noted: comfort with children with disabilities: 3.7 prior increased to 8.8 after a year. Helped prepare for health career: 8.95; Enhanced ability to assist these children: 9.0; Manage behavioral issues: 8.7; Identify physical impairments: 8.3. Noted benefits: experience with children with disabilities and grasp of diagnoses and resulting impairments. 78% of 199 PT graduates identified AG as 1 of top 2 favorite service activities in PT school out of 10 options and improved confidence in hands-on skills.
Discussion: AG was the lone adapted activity in central MO for 14 years. There are now 8 adapted activities for children; several used AG as a guide for implementation. AG has served as a model for 4 AG programs in other states. AG is a good example of an adapted sports activity beneficial to participants and volunteers, especially those in PT.