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 FUNfitness is the comprehensive physical therapy component of the Special Olympics Healthy Athletes initiative. FUNfitness is designed to assess and improve flexibility, functional strength and balance; to educate participants, families and coaches about the importance of flexibility, strength and balance; and to provide a hands-on opportunity for participants to learn about physical therapy.
Developed for Special Olympics Healthy Athletes by the American Physical Therapy Association, FUNfitness premiered in March 2001 at the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Anchorage, Alaska, USA.
At a FUNfitness screening event the physical therapist assesses flexibility of the hamstring, calf, shoulder rotator, and hip flexor muscles; functional strength of the abdominal and lower extremity muscles; and balance (single-leg stance and functional reach). Physical therapist assistants or physical therapist assistant students work during the screening under the direction and supervision of the physical therapist.
FUNfitness also provides educational materials for Special Olympics athletes and information for families and coaches about the importance of and methods to improve flexibility, functional strength and balance in sports performance and activities of daily living.
The following form is designed for the use of Clinical Directors when administering their individual programs:
< Download the HAS form for FUNfitness (Adobe PDF, 92K) >
Related links
http://www.apta.org/about/aptaelectedleaders
Contact Information
Salma ElGhandour, Healthy Athletes Manager
selghandour@specialolympics.org
Learn more about these components of the Healthy Athletes initiative:
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