Sports in Handicapped Athletes and Inclusion

Abstract

Approximately 10% of the world’s population are persons with disabilities. Physical activity has a high priority in people with disabilities, as they are even more likely to suffer from physical inactivity and chronic diseases such as metabolic disorders, obesity, and osteoporosis and physical activity enhances mental well-being, social integration, and the prevention of chronic diseases. Special physiological characteristics of disabled athletes are mainly observed in athletes following spinal cord injuries (SCI). SCI are associated with muscle atrophy and osteoporosis below the level of injury, but are also associated with several changes in metabolic, cardiovascular, and pulmonary systems. The main physiological differences are decreased thermoregulatory capacity, reduced resting energy expenditure, decreased respiratory function, reduced bone mineral density, and prolonged gastrointestinal transition times. Medical challenges include urinary tract infections and orthostatic dysregulation as well as heat stroke and autonomic dysreflexia.