Special Olympic Summer Games
We are looking for volunteers for half day, all day or both days as part of the FUNfitness event.
6/11/2016 – 6/12/2016Southern CT State University
Special Olympics FUNfitness Needs You!
Spring has sprung, and guess what is just around the corner? Summer!! And we all know what that brings; sunny days and the Special Olympic Summer Games. We are in search of PTs, PTAs, Student PTs and Student PTAs to help make the Summer Games a success! We all look forward to this event every year as it is always a fantastic time, it gives us the chance to volunteer with our colleagues and friends, and it offers each of us the opportunity to give back to our community. What more could you ask for in a few hours? I think we can throw in donuts, lunch and a T-Shirt too!
The Summer Games are scheduled for Saturday, June 11th and Sunday, June 12th at Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, CT. We are looking for volunteers for half day, all day or both days as part of the FUNfitness event (please see attached description). Please contact Colleen Langlais PT, MS at colleenelanglais@comcast.net or Heidi Adamski PT, MS at hadamski@snet.net if you are interested in learning more about the event or would like to volunteer.
There are already 2,597 athletes signed up to participate in this year's Summer Games! That means we need more PT volunteers than ever! We typically screen about 160 athletes over the course of 2 days- the podiatrists, dentists, and eye physicians screen over 400! If we have more volunteers we can reach.
The CPTA sponsors FUNFitness at the Special Olympics Summer Games
The Special Olympics FUNFitness program is a fitness event developed by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). This screening is a part of theHealthy Athletes program designed to help Special Olympics athletes improve their health and fitness. Its ultimate aim is to improve each athlete’s ability to train and compete in Special Olympics as well as life.
Physical therapists are involved in promotion of health, wellness and fitness. Physical therapists understand that physical fitness is key to successful performance of daily work, and leisure activities, and that all individuals should have the opportunity to understand and pursue physical fitness.
FUNFitness is the result of these core beliefs. The established professional relationship between APTA and Special Olympics International (SOI) created an opportunity for the APTA and North Carolina Chapter to develop a flexibility screening for Special Olympians participating in the 1999 Special Olympics World Summer Games. In November 1999 APTA agreed to develop FUNFitness, a comprehensive physical therapy component for Special Olympic’s Healthy Athletes. FUNFitness was developed and pilot tested in 2000, and premiered with the assistance of the Alaska Physical Therapy Association at the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Anchorage, Alaska in March 2001.
FUNFitness is a fitness-screening event. The purposes of FUNFitness are to assess and improve flexibility, functional strength, balance and aerobic capacity; to educate participants, families and coaches about the importance of flexibility, strength, balance, and aerobic conditioning; and to provide a hands-on opportunity for participants to learn about physical therapists.
The physical therapist assesses flexibility of the hamstring, calf, shoulder rotator, and hip flexor muscles; functional strength of the abdominal, lower extremity muscles and grip strength; balance (single limb stance and functional reach); and aerobic capacity.
The screening also provides instruction to participants about how to stretch, strengthen, and improve balance and conditioning. Physical therapy assistants, and physical therapy or physical therapy assistant students work during the screening under the direction and supervision of licensed physical therapists.
Please join us in volunteering at the Connecticut Physical Therapy Association’s Annual FUNFitness event at the 2015 Special Olympics Summer Games, Saturday, June 11th and Sunday, June 12th. Morning, afternoon, or all day timeslots are available. Volunteers are welcome to participate for one or both days. If you are interested please e-mail Colleen Langlais, PT, MS at colleenelanglais@comcast.net (860-508-0487) or Heidi Adamski, PT, MS at hadamski@snet.net (203-631-8544).
