As people become more aware, they realize the importance of adaptive fitness training and how it can benefit special needs individuals. Inclusivity is important not to make people with one form of disability or the other feel different or left out.
The Adaptive Fitness Training Model was formed to train differently-abled individuals to make them see that they, too, are capable of anything. This article will discuss the adaptive fitness training model. Read on to learn more.
What is Adaptive Fitness?
Adaptive fitness is a form of specialized and personal training specifically made for individuals with permanent or temporary disabilities. This training meets the needs of a specific individual, depending on what disability they have. Generally, the expert trainer will incorporate different techniques to help the individual with weight management, a healthier lifestyle, and more.
Overview of Adaptive Fitness Training
Different workout styles, equipment, and techniques can be used during an adaptive fitness training session. All that is needed is an expert trainer who has undergone the necessary training to qualify as an adaptive fitness trainer and knows the right way to approach someone with special needs during their training session.
The training program is focused on the goals of each individual. It is the trainer’s work to know their client’s goals and help them achieve them in the best way possible. Adaptive fitness doesn’t only help the individual with their physical fitness, but it can also increase the individual’s confidence.
Importance and Benefits of Adaptive Fitness
In the past, people with impairments or disabilities had no access to the fitness sector. Wheelchair-accessible gyms and equipment are still more of an anomaly than the staple. A healthy lifestyle and physical fitness are now accessible to everyone thanks to adaptive fitness centers.
They are giving special needs individuals the skills and resources they require to develop psychologically as well as physically. Additionally, achieving fitness for all is a crucial human rights objective that lays the way for improved inclusion and quality of life for people with disabilities.
There are genuine medical benefits even though everyone’s outcomes may vary, and nothing is assured with this modified approach to training. Pain management, cardiovascular endurance, functional strength development, mobility, and flexibility are some of the most important areas.
There may also be advantages in terms of better blood circulation, muscle strength, muscle stiffness digestion, core strength, cardio strength, reduced muscle atrophy, and bone density.
The Function of the Adaptive Fitness Training Model
There are four major target stages involved in the adaptive fitness training model. Of course, these four stages are essential for every special needs individual.
1. Flexibility and Core Balance Training
This adaptive fitness program stage focuses on corrective exercise and functional movements. You don’t need to be fully mobile to reap the rewards of exercise for your health. Generally, many exercises can improve your mood, core balance, and flexibility, boost your self-esteem, relieve stress and anxiety.
Even if an illness, accident, or weight issues have restricted your mobility, you can achieve all this with the right help. The professional and fully qualified adaptive fitness trainer should be able to guide you on what exercises are best for you, which will help you improve your flexibility and give you a better core balance.
There are three important exercises that an expert adaptive fitness coach will incorporate into your training sessions to help improve your mobility and flexibility and give you the balance you need.
Exercises for Flexibility
Flexibility exercises help you increase your range of motion, avoid injuries, and relieve pain and stiffness. Yoga and stretches are exercises that can help you improve your flexibility. Stretching and doing flexibility exercises are extremely beneficial even if you have restricted movement in any part of your body because they can help stop or delay additional muscle atrophy.
2. The Brain and Sensory System Training
The brain and sensory system adaptive fitness training model stage mostly explores auditory, vestibular, tactile, and visual pathways.
Individuals with disability’s sensory requirements are met by sensory integration exercises that either reduce or increase the intensity of the sensory input they experience. Most sensory integration exercises utilize the vestibular, proprioceptive, and tactile sensory systems in special needs individuals.
3. Muscle and Strength Development Training
This is the stage where anaerobic resistance training is introduced to people with disabilities to help strengthen their muscles and give them more power.
High-intensity interval training (HIIT), circuit training, yoga, weightlifting, Pilates, and other strength training are examples of anaerobic activities. In fact, there are numerous health advantages to this kind of exercise. It’s a fantastic approach to increasing stamina and developing and retaining muscle.
Exercise for Strength Training
Utilizing weights or other forms of resistance during strength training activities helps to increase bone and muscle mass, balance, and fall prevention. Your focus will concentrate on strengthening your upper body if you have restricted mobility in your legs. Similarly, your emphasis will be more on strengthening your legs and core if, for example, you have a shoulder issue.
4. Stamina Adaptation and Endurance Training
This stage focuses on exercises that are aerobic to strengthen the heart. Since “aerobic” means “with oxygen,” breathing regulates the amount of oxygen reaching the muscles to aid their ability to burn fat and move.
Aerobic Cardiovascular Training can be extremely beneficial for people with disabilities in so many ways.
Here are some advantages of aerobic activities:
- Increases cardiovascular fitness
- Reduces the danger of heart disease
- Brings down blood pressure
- Increases good cholesterol (HDL) levels
- Aids in better blood sugar control
- Enhances lung performance
- Lowers heart rate at rest
Cardiovascular Exercise
Increase your heart rate and endurance through cardiovascular workouts. Walking, running, cycling, dancing, tennis, swimming, water aerobics, and aqua jogging are a few examples of cardiovascular exercises.
Additionally, water exercise is good for people with mobility challenges since it supports the body and lowers the possibility of muscle pain. You can still do cardiovascular exercises even in a wheelchair.
Adaptive Training Certification
Through a supervised online certification course and extra specialty certificate courses, Adaptive Training Academy provides knowledge. This collection of adaptive and inclusive fitness training instruction offers a thorough selection of information and useful techniques that establishes the benchmark for trainer accreditation in these fields.
To be a fully certified adaptive trainer, one must obtain the Adaptive & Inclusive Trainer (AIT) Certification. Generally, this certificate proves that the individual has gone through the right classes that qualify them to work with individuals with disabilities.
Working with special needs individuals is very important, and you must know how to properly approach and communicate with them. You will need to take classes to help you understand your future clients and how to treat them respectfully while working with them.
The Safety of Adaptive Fitness Training for People With Disabilities
Regardless of whether you have a disability, all forms of exercise carry a risk of harm. However, a professional trainer will work closely with you to ensure that every workout is appropriate for your needs. They will provide you with the right adaptive fitness equipment you will need for your training session to ensure you get out of your training.
You need to obtain permission from your doctor to participate as a safety measure. Additionally, an adaptive fitness trainer and a healthcare physician can help decide which is best for you.
The Bottom Line
Adaptive fitness training is very beneficial for people with disabilities. It’s an incredible confidence booster and can help them know that they are not defined by their disabilities. Of course, people with disabilities should be able to do anything they set their minds to, including physical training that can help improve their overall health.
Be a part of someone’s adaptive fitness journey by signing up for an adaptive fitness certification today and save 50% on your enrollment!