Adapting Common Fall Sports for People with Disabilities

During the COVID-19 pandemic, a Michigan Medicine program launches a new video series to make fall sports accessible for people with disabilities.

12:06 PM

Author | Kylie Urban

While the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in many activities being canceled, one Michigan Medicine program is making sure people with disabilities can still participate in recreational activities safely from their own backyards.

The University of Michigan Adaptive and Inclusive Sports Experience, or UMAISE, works to enhance the physical, social and emotional development for people with disabilities by providing fun sports and recreation activities overseen by industry professionals, such as recreational therapists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, physicians and rehabilitation engineers.

MORE FROM MICHIGAN: Sign up for our weekly newsletter

"Of course it's disappointing that we can't offer our participants our usual in-person, large group activities due to the pandemic," says Seong-Hee Yoon, director of technology and innovation for UMAISE. "But, we came up with an idea to offer them virtual content."

To keep UMAISE participants, and any person with disabilities, participating in sports and recreation activities during the fall season, UMAISE developed a series of videos to coach participants through sports drills, tips for adapting gear and COVID-19 safety precautions to take into consideration.

"We're excited to present four videos: soccer, tennis, kayaking and camping," says Melissa Tinney, M.D., the medical director of UMAISE. "We hope our UMAISE participants, and our friends around the country, find the videos helpful as they keep up with fun physical activities at home."

The UMAISE team reminds participants to still practice COVID-19 safety measures when playing with neighbors and friends, including social distancing, keeping at least six feet between you and your fellow athlete, wearing a mask, washing your hands before and after playing and avoiding touching your face during sports activity.

"We hope to keep adding additional videos to our series and encourage our participants to check back often to our YouTube playlist," Tinney says.

Visit the UMAISE website to learn more about the program and how to enroll.


More Articles About: lifestyle Community Health Physical Therapy Sports Medicine Child Fitness and Youth Training Fitness Training Sports Training Exercise Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Health Lab word mark overlaying blue cells
Health Lab

Explore a variety of healthcare news & stories by visiting the Health Lab home page for more articles.

Media Contact Public Relations

Department of Communication at Michigan Medicine

[email protected]

734-764-2220

Stay Informed

Want top health & research news weekly? Sign up for Health Lab’s newsletters today!

Subscribe
Featured News & Stories Illustration of three older women playing cards at a table
Health Lab
Research needed on support for nontraditional caregivers providing care for people with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias
A growing number of people living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias – especially those from diverse backgrounds – receive care from a network of individuals that increasingly includes nontraditional informal caregivers.
Girl participates in rehab activities, playing with shapes on a board and using an exercise ball
Health Lab
Pediatric neuro rehabilitation program provides answers for 10-year-old with a traumatic brain injury
The University of Michigan Health Milestones Pediatric Neuro Rehabilitation Program specializes in evaluating and treating children with an acute neurological diagnosis from an injury or illness.
illustration of man sleeping in bed with CPAP machine on
Health Lab
Free sleep clinic addresses disparities in treatment of sleep disorders
New sleep medicine service aims to combat sleep disorders and help reduce poor health outcomes for people without health insurance.
Woman in pink shirt lifts kettleball in an outdoor exercise class
Health Lab
How to make cancer prevention more equitable
Expert explains six behavioral risk factors for cancer and why current programs don’t always meet the needs of people from racially and ethnically minoritized groups and other vulnerable populations.
Illustration of a surgery table
Health Lab
Is surgery the best option for ruptured Achilles tendons in young adults?
Achilles tendon ruptures are normally treated with surgical procedures, but there are other options with equal outcomes.
Woman grasps at pelvic area, indicating pain
Health Lab
Pelvic floor injury during vaginal birth is life-altering and preventable, experts say
New technology can prevent pelvic floor conditions associated with childbirth.