Program Overview
At this point in time it is well-known that participating in daily physical activity is necessary
to living a full healthy life and combating chronic health diseases such as heart disease, di-
abetes and stroke. Even with this being known the majority of the physically disabled are
still not participating in daily or even weekly physical activity sessions. The reasons for this
can range from social to psychological, with some of the main reasons being that fact that
they are unfamiliar with a fitness program/regimen and do not know how to start. There is
also the fact that some fitness facilities are not completely handicap accessible.
The Disability Performance Protocol is a weekly system that takes the unknowing out of
working out. Each session is run by a capable personal trainer that is well-versed in work-
ing with individuals with disabilities and each session works on different aspects of the in-
dividuals overall fitness to create an all encompassing fitness program. The core aspects of
the program focus on assessing all prior injuries and then strengthening these weaknesses,
improving all facets of the individuals activities of daily living, educating the individual on
the importance of physical activity and getting them comfortable with being inside a gym
setting and performing the exercises, and finally creating a feeling of self-confidence and
improved mood-state.
This program is working to not only improve the physical health of the individual, but to
show them how engaging in physical activity can help to improve all facets of their lives.
Physically they can become more independent and their daily activities become easier to
complete, since they have more energy. Mentally they are happier and more stress free,
with less feelings of anxiety, and finally they are more social as they interact with more
people throughout their fitness sessions, increasing their social network and feelings of in-
clusion.
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