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Andersen M.M.1, Hüche Larsen H.1
1The Elsass Foundation, Charlottenlund, Denmark
Background: Rehabilitation and treatment in relation to people with disabilities have traditionally been focused on the objective body. The methods have thereby primary consisted of operations, medication and training of local physical infirmities. The Elsass Foundation wants to expand and complement this procedure by developing new and more holistic methods. A result of this work has been the development of Sports Camps for children, young people and adults with Cerebral Palsy (CP).
Purpose: The main purpose has been to design a research-based practical intervention, which has the potential to stimulate to resilience by empowering people with disabilities in a physiological, psychological and social way. A further goal has been to inspire and rethink the way health institutions and professionals think and provide health promotion, prevention and treatment in relation to people with disabilities.
In the presentation, I will present the research behind the Sports Camps and describe how it can be transformed into practice.
In the presentation, I will present the research behind the Sports Camps and describe how it can be transformed into practice.
Methods: The method for developing the Sports Camp intervention has been to combine theoretical and research-based knowledge from different disciplines in the field of learning and development. The Sports Camp intervention is therefore based on both neurophysiological, psychological and social learning principles and theories. The hypothesis is that the various approaches will complement each other and thereby realize the Sports Camps potential to stimulate resilience.
Results: The result is a Sports Camp, where development and learning of resilience is incorporated at all levels such as: the pedagogical approach, the choice of activities, the composition of the participants and the context. The camp is a concrete intervention in the work with people with disabilities, empowerment and resilience.
A further result of the project is a Sports Camp Manual. The manual presents the theoretical and research-based foundation and framework, and describes as well how professionals in their settings can develop their own Sport Camp.
Conclusion(s): In the work with intervention methods, empowerment, resilience and people with disabilities, Sports Camps can be a concrete strategy. It is recommended that Sports Camps like these should be a part of a preventing-, health promotional- and treatment strategy for people with disabilities.
Implications: Sports Camps have the potential to empower people with disabilities by encouraging a more positive, independent and action-oriented behavior. A way of living which can stimulate development of resilience and furthermore have a positive effect in a larger macro perspective.
The therapeutic work will mainly consist of stimulating the psychological and social competences through physical activity. In relation to the activities, the therapist must engage in a collaborative and solution-oriented process where didactic considerations are important elements in the achievement of mastery and success. Also, pedagogical and psychological elements such as establishing a good relationship, creating a safe and inclusive environment, creating reflection and motivating participation in challenging activities are important in this kind of intervention.
Funding acknowledgements: The Elsass Foundation
Topic: Professional practice: other
Ethics approval: Not required
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
