Research

Susan Lee of the Faculty of Physical Education and Health explains that fitness can work for everyone.

In January, we looked at the mental health benefits of exercise.  In this installment of Behind the Headlines, we examine the opportunities for fitness for people who have physical challenges with Susan Lee, assistant program manager, Co-curricular Diversity and Equity in the Faculty of Physical Health and Education.

Is it possible for people with physical challenges or who use wheelchairs to stay fit?

Definitely.  We’re able to work with the individual in terms of their interests and goals to help them get fit or stay fit.  The main components are the same for everyone, whether they have a physical challenge or not — cardiovascular fitness, muscular strength and flexibility.  We can design fitness programs to an individual’s particular needs and goals.

The key factor a person with a physical challenge needs to consider first is if the facility and the equipment are wheelchair accessible.  So, for example, does the facility have an accessible cycle ergometre (hand-cycle machine) for cardio or accessible weight machines?   For flexibility, we can work with rubber bands, tubing, and stretch cloths.

What have you done here at the U of T Athletic Centre to accommodate those types of fitness programs for people with physical challenges?

Again, it’s begins with the accessible spaces.  We’ve made sure we have accessible spaces in the strength and conditioning centre and in the field house.  We also have an elevator that is wheelchair accessible and electronic doors throughout the facility.  We have accessible equipment.  And we have trained staff who can work with people who use wheelchairs or have physical challenges to show them how to use the equipment.

How are the staff trained to work with people who have special physical needs?

My Faculty has a program for staff that uses case studies, highlights the language of accessibility and we look at building their confidence at working with different individuals.  And part of that is bringing disability into the training scenario.  To help with that, we created a DVD that includes interviews with various members with physical challenges who share their stories on the barriers they face when it comes to fitness, the myths about fitness, and how individuals with physical challenges can become more fit based on their own needs.

What are some of those myths?

One of them is that people with physical challenges don’t need fitness or that people who use a wheelchair stay home all day.  Of course, neither is true and one of our roles is to break those stereotypes.  So the message is everyone can and should become more active, it’s just a matter of how and what interests a person.

Another area of misunderstanding is the mode of activity.  All fitness programs are open to persons with physical challenges.   We’ve talked about the land activities.  But there are water activities, too.  We have two pools here, one is 25 yards, the other is 50 metres.  Both have pool lifts so we can assist an individual into and out of the water.  And, again, we have trained staff to assist.

I think people understand the muscle-building part of fitness for people with physical challenges.  But the cardio part is interesting.  I never thought of that.  So cardio is just as important for a person who use a wheelchair as for people who can walk or people who want to run a marathon?

Definitely.  I always think of the heart as the most important muscle in the body, so that’s why cardio training is so important.  Oxygen is necessary just for daily living, so strengthening the heart is essential for everyone.  That’s the physiological aspect.  But also when a person becomes more active and fit there’s also stress management that goes with it.  You feel more mentally alert when you’re fit.  And there’s a big social aspect to it that improves stress management and mental health – just being in a space where there are other people.  So cardio training is important physiologically, mentally and socially.

And you can accommodate people with visual challenges as well?

Absolutely.  We begin with asking the individual what his or her interests are, strength training or cardio.  But the main factor is finding the spaces, getting the landmarks.  We first introduce people with visual challenges to the route.  For example, what is the route from the change room to their workout spaces?  Once they are oriented a few times, they can work into a regular routine.

And they can bring their guide dogs – we welcome the member along with her or his guide dog.

What’s the role of your office in fitness?

My role in the Faculty is to develop programs to welcome all members of the U of T community to our athletic and fitness facilities.  We have lots of people here but there are many who have not found this facility because they don’t feel comfortable, whether because of their physical challenge or they may identify as a member of the LGBTQ community.  So my role is to reach out to different members within our community, find out what their needs are and welcome them into this space.  We do that for individuals and for groups.  For example, with people who use wheelchairs, we have free fitness consultations, if they prefer the one-on-one format.  I’ve also done presentations for Accessibility Services to groups of, say, 20 students and I guide them to the fitness services and programs at the Faculty.

Does your office work with researchers in the Faculty?

The practice informs the research and the research informs the practice.  That’s a real benefit of having an athletic and fitness facility in a university setting.  Yes, having researchers here specializing in all aspects of health and fitness helps us to design programs for different users that meets a variety of needs.

Any final thoughts?

Our tagline is “Fit for Everybody.”  We really believe that.  Everyone needs to stay fit and if we can make access to fitness easier for anyone, we will.

For more on the Faculty’s fitness programs for persons with with special needs, contact Susan at ss.lee@utoronto.ca

Tags: Behind the Headlines, Health