Applying Upgrades & Downgrades for Athletes with Special Needs

Applying Upgrades & Downgrades for Athletes with Special Needs

‍

Physical activity is important for an individual's overall health and wellness providing many benefits like increased energy levels and reduced risk of certain diseases. Individuals with special needs can have challenges when it comes to the accessibility and ability of programs to match their needs at their level.

Spectrum Sports offers adaptive fitness that is designed for individuals with chronic illnesses and/or various disabilities with the focus on meeting an individual where they are at by providing modifications to increase participation while having fun.

"A Spectrum Sports, our athletes can improve their physical fitness while engaging in fun exercise routines – that apply proper upgrades and downgrades – to meet their interests and their requirements." – James Paoletti, Founder, Spectrum Sports

What Are Upgrades and Downgrades?

Exercise modifications can involve upgrades and downgrades.

• Upgrades make the activity more difficult
• Downgrades make the activity easier

Each individual is different, finding the right challenge may take a session or two to determine what is appropriate. Upgrades and downgrades may be applied by using strategies like:

• Adjusting the weight used
• Giving variations in directions, such as, multi-step directions vs. step-by-step directions with visual demonstrations
• Breaking down the movements and focusing on what the individual is able to achieve

"Each Spectrum Sports athlete is paired with a coach who applies upgrades and downgrades through the class to increase their participation and enjoyment." – Dan Minko, Founder, Spectrum Sports

Adaptive Programs Spectrum Sports Offers

• Sports & Games: athletes work on basic skills and engage in team games for sports like hockey, basketball, and much more!
• Fitness: athletes can improve their muscle strength through weighted exercises with coaches focusing on modifications when necessary.
• Yoga: Yoga poses are incorporated to improve balance, flexibility, and recovery.
• Virtual Fitness Videos (Coming Soon)

‍

Join the Spectrum Sports community today!