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Fitness Professionals and People with Disabilities

More than ever, people with physical disabilities are working towards exercise and fitness goals. In Edmonton, an innovative workshop has been developed in response to this trend.

Entitled “The Importance and Benefits of Exercise and Physical Activity for Persons with Physical Disabilities,” the workshop is designed to give practical insights to fitness professionals so they can act as informed facilitators.

“The idea is to help fitness professionals understand some of the day-to-day realities faced by persons with physical disabilities as they engage in physical activity in their communities,” explains one of the workshop organizers, Keith Johnston of MS ActiveNOW. “The workshop also allows participants to hear first-hand some inspiring and educational stories told by individuals with disabilities.”

The half-day workshop was jointly developed in 2009 by The Steadward Centre for Personal & Physical Achievement, the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada (Edmonton Chapter), and the Canadian Paraplegic Association (Alberta).

MS ActiveNOW is a health initiative program of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada (Alberta Division) that works in collaboration with The Steadward Centre. “Broadly speaking, this initiative aims to increase wellness and exercise opportunities for people with MS, so co-organizing this workshop for fitness leaders makes a lot of sense,” explains Johnston.

The inaugural workshop was held in March, 2009, at one of The Steadward Centre’s satellite facilities, Austin O’Brien High School in southeast Edmonton. The event attracted 50 fitness and other professionals from a variety of organizations, such as the City of Edmonton, YMCA, Servus Place, Strathcona County, Grant MacEwan University, the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, yoga studios, and additional fitness and recreation facilities in the Edmonton region.

Positive Vibrations

Johnston notes that post-workshop evaluations were very positive and showed that participants felt it was excellent opportunity for them to learn more about facilitative actions or roles they can take.

Some of the workshop topics covered included:

• advantages of exercise for persons with disabilities
• risks of being physically inactive
• information on different disabilities, such as multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, spina bifida, cerebral palsy, and stroke and brain injury
• focusing on abilities and capabilities of people with disabilities

Learning by Experience

Beyond the presentations of the workshop, the hands-on exercises helped registrants to better understand the relationship between physical activity and exercise for persons with disabilities. For example, participants had an opportunity to work together as they learned various techniques for modifying exercises and equipment for all abilities.

Johnston adds, “That personal experience is an invaluable part of the learning experience for the professionals. It assists them with adapting fitness and exercise techniques—a necessary aspect when it comes to working with individuals.”

“There are not many opportunities for this kind of ‘hands-on’ training,” explains Bobbi-Jo Atchison, an Adapted Physical Activity Consultant for The Steadward Centre. “There’s no cookie-cutter model you can follow. Creativity is essential.”

Atchison suggests that by being placed in situations similar to those faced by their clients, fitness trainers gain a real sense of the barriers their clients may face while trying to be active in their communities.

“One of the best tools for the fitness instructor is to learn to communicate with their clients. Client feedback and input is necessary to help determine choices or frequency of any given activity,” says Atchison.

In the workshop, one of the important things that trainers are encouraged to do is to stay focused on the abilities rather than the limitations of their clients. “We’re not really focusing on what they can’t do, but on what they can,” offers Johnston.

Earning Credits and Looking Ahead

Organizers noted one of the contributing factors to good attendance at the workshop was that registrants could earn credits towards their professional development.

“Although the inaugural workshop was free, many participants stated in their evaluations that they would be willing to pay for such a workshop,” notes Johnston.

“There was significant interest in increasing the length of the session, which we found very encouraging,” says Atchison.

Based on overall feedback, future workshops will incorporate more opportunities to work hands-on and learn various techniques of modifying exercises for all ability levels, reports Atchison. Enthusiastically, she adds, “It speaks volumes that participants wanted more information, hands-on experience and personal stories. We’ve definitely opened up a door with this initiative.”