Disability Fitness – Breaking Down Barriers

Thanks to the success of the Paralympics, disability sport is more than ever being recognised as an intensely competitive arena of talented elite athletes. The 283 athletes that made up Paralympics GB this summer represent a tiny fraction of Britain’s disabled population with more than 10 million people in the UK living with a disability (and the majority of these individuals not currently participating in sport or fitness related activities). Here, Dr Anthony Papathomas and Dr Brett Smith, from the Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sports at Loughborough, look at some of the reasons for this trend and offer suggestions for change.

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Barriers to Exercise Sport, in particular elite level, is not necessarily for everyone but health and fitness should be (1). Despite this, few fitness professionals have ever worked with a disabled client. When it comes to exercise, disabled people encounter a vast number of barriers. One study identified as many as 178 different obstacles to physical activity (2). This highlights that when the cons outweigh the pros, a lack of engagement with exercise will typically follow (3). Fitness professionals have a role to play in minimising barriers to exercise and encouraging increased activity across the disabled population. Understanding these barriers is an important aspect of continued professional development.

Environmental Barriers The environment and its surroundings can make access to fitness facilities difficult for someone with a physical disability (4). Although the majority of facilities have the basics (such as ramps and lifts) the quality of these provisions differs greatly across the sector. Even when access is a smooth process, it is important that there is sufficiently adapted equipment available for disabled people. Fitness practitioners will know that a varied routine is vital for client motivation, yet a lack of equipment makes delivering such variety difficult.

Think about where you work and how it caters for disabled people. Is there anything that could be changed? You could speak to the budget holder about expanding the adapted equipment range or encourage your employer to apply for Inclusive Fitness Initiative (IFI) accreditation (whereby leisure facilities are awarded an “IFI Mark” for meeting a certain standard of disability provision). Personal Trainers might also consider creatively engaging disabled clients in the outdoors, including local parks and other open spaces (5).

Social Barriers Although the Paralympics may have remedied some stigmas and prejudices attached to disability, an element of social stigma still exists. According to one report, negative perceptions of non- disabled facility users and professionals acted as a prominent barrier to participation (2). It was suggested that health and fitness professionals viewed disability provision as a necessary evil and a bothersome box to tick. The unfounded concerns regarding liability in the event of injury has meant that many

The REPs Journal 2013;26(January):12-14