This Resource Hub provides evidence-based materials that highlight the history and benefits of adaptive recreation, curated adaptive program directories, and essential details for each program, including cost descriptions, available offerings, and intended audiences. It also includes information on lending closets for accessing adaptive equipment for recreational and non-recreational use. Additionally, the hub explains how adaptive recreation applies to and intersects with the roles of other medical professionals.
Adaptive recreation involves taking a different approach to making an activity available to someone who would not otherwise be able to participate given their disability (National Ability Center, 2024). This can look like changing the equipment that is used to adapt to a physical need or changing the activity itself to be better understood, thus targeting individuals with physical or mental disabilities (Albemarle County Parks & Recreation, n.d.).
Adaptive recreation offers significant benefits, including improved physical and mental health, self-efficacy, body image, and overall quality of life (Diaz et al., 2019; Isidoro-Cabañas et al., 2023; Tchirkov et al., 2021). Participation in adaptive sports enhances strength, endurance, and cardiovascular health while helping reduce sedentary behaviors common among individuals with disabilities (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], n.d.). Given that more than 25% of U.S. adults live with a disability affecting daily activities, access to adaptive recreation is an important public health priority (CDC, 2024).
References
Albemarle County Parks & Recreation. (n.d.). Adaptive recreation program. https://www.albemarle.org/government/parks-recreation/programs/adaptive-recreation/
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, July 16). CDC data shows over 70 million U.S. adults reported having a disability. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2024/s0716-Adult-disability.html
Diaz, R., Miller, E. K., Kraus, E., & Fredericson, M. (2019). Impact of adaptive sports participation on quality of life. Sports Medicine and Arthroscopy Review, 27(2), 73–82. https://doi.org/10.1097/JSA.0000000000000242
Isidoro-Cabañas, E., Soto-Rodríguez, F. J., Morales-Rodríguez, F. M., & Pérez-Mármol, J. M. (2023). Benefits of adaptive sport on physical and mental quality of life in people with physical disabilities: A meta-analysis. Healthcare, 11(18), 2480. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11182480
National Ability Center. (2024). What is adaptive recreation?
https://discovernac.org/blog/what-is-adaptive-recreation/
Tchirkov, V., Didierjean, R., & Schuft, L. (2021). Adapted physical activity to treat chronic disease: A literature review of obstacles to prescription and compliance. Trends in Medicine, 21(3). https://shs.hal.science/halshs-03331406/documen