Active living and sports
Mobility devices to empower, inspire, and promote freedom of movement.
Active living and sports
Sports open up a whole new world of possibilities to people with disabilities. Since Ottobock began supporting Paralympic athletes over 30 years ago, the introduction of special carbon springs radically improved athletic performances at the Paralympic Games. Over the following years, we continued to work closely with role models from the world of sports to optimize our sports products and services. New methods and products were tested – with the goal of providing better support, not only to top-level athletes, but to children and recreational athletes as well.
Those looking for an appropriate opportunity to engage in individual or team sports, as well as the right equipment to get them started, will find them at Ottobock. When it comes to choosing or using the right prosthetic or orthotic device for active living, a few tips can be a big help for beginners in particular. One thing we have learned from sports – for professionals and amateurs alike – is that you can often achieve so much more tomorrow than you believe possible today.
Living an active lifestyle benefits our bodies and minds. Exercising your cardiovascular system, maintaining personal mobility, unwinding, and overcoming challenges – these are all good reasons for people with and without disabilities to take up a sport. But where to begin? We've provided information and examples to help newcomers get started.
Which sport is right for me?
These days, even people who use prostheses or wheelchairs can engage in a wide range of sports. Most sports for people with disabilities are closely based on their conventional counterparts. As a result, many such sports are played in the same manner and with the same rules. A large number of sports clubs even offer inclusive sports programs in which people can participate regardless of their type of disability.
Not every activity is suitable for everyone, but when it comes to choosing your sport, restricted mobility is playing an increasingly minimal role. This is due in part to the huge technological advances in sports equipment. You don’t have to be a professional athlete to benefit from this.
Below, you will find an overview of team sports and individual sports as well as ways for children with disabilities to develop a love of movement through sports. Regardless of whether you use a prosthesis, a wheelchair, or some other device, there’s definitely at least one sport out there which is perfect for you and worth giving a try!
Types of Individual Sports
Athletics
Many athletics events have been adapted and use approved devices so people with different types of disabilities can participate. Athletics events differentiate between those held on the track (e.g., 100 meter sprint), those held on the road (e.g., marathon), and those held on the field (e.g., long jump, shot put). In order to compare performances more fairly, athletes are divided into disability categories when competing. Many sports clubs offer inclusive athletics training for people with and without disabilities.
Sitting volleyball
Team sports are group experiences. Besides keeping you fit, they also have a strong social dimension. Nobody wins or loses alone. Victory is only achieved by working together. Those who train and invest themselves on behalf of a team will enjoy a deep sense of camaraderie and mutual respect. Naturally, team members are expected to be reliable in attending practices and keeping agreements. But commitment can be very helpful for people especially when they begin a sport, because it helps them integrate the new activity into their routine on an ongoing basis.
There are numerous team sports that people with and without disabilities can play together. It’s worth trying various options before you decide which sport and which team is best suited to your needs and wishes. There are various different team sports, but if you would like to know more about a particular sport or where you can engage in a sport locally, please contact your national disabled sports association.
Sitting volleyball is a dynamic game in which two teams of six play across a 3.77-feet-high net. The technique is identical to that of conventional volleyball, the only difference being that the player’s torso must be touching the ground when they make contact with the ball. Sitting volleyball is ideal for athletes with leg disabilities, as players are seated throughout the game. Players may use their arms and legs to move around, but no other devices are permitted.
