I’m An Athlete
Enhancing Life through Sport for Persons with Physical Disabilities
Department of Health and Human Performance
Radford University
The purpose of the I’m an Athlete program is to enhance quality of life through sport. Persons with physical disabilities face a variety of physical and social barriers to sport and physical activity. However, research has consistently shown that adaptive sport enhances an individual’s health and quality of life. The program, therefore, seeks to advance adaptive sport opportunities through research, service, and promotion. To understand the importance of this program, one simply needs to understand how adaptive sport changes lives.
"I've been an athlete all my life, my disability never changed that!" (Jason Regier)

Current Research Projects
●EMG Analysis of Wheelchair Rugby Athletes
●Sport-based Therapeutic Recreation: Perceived Outcomes and Implications for Research
●Leisure Sport Outcomes among Persons with Physical Disabilities

Current Service
●International Sport Classification
→ Nation’s Cup in Limerick, Ireland
→ Copa Americas Power Soccer Tournament in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
→ Under 18’s in Paris France

Current Promotion
●Soccer for All program
→ Partnership with the United States Power Soccer Association to improve quality of life
through new equipment purchases

Links of Interest
Paralympics - http://www.paralympic.org
U.S. Paralympics - http://www.teamusa.org/US-Paralympics
Sport Clubs by State - http://www.teamusa.org/US-Paralympics/Community/Paralympic-Sport-Clubs/Current-Clubs
Sports for Veterans - http://www.va.gov/adaptivesports/
First Powerchair Football Clinic in Argentina - http://argentina.usembassy.gov/powerchair_event.html