A NIDRR Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center

Recreational Technologies and Exercise Physiology

Rectech is dedicated to using technology to promote more healthy, active lifestyles for people with disabilities. The research literature provides overwhelming evidence that physically active lifestyles are associated with a long and impressive list of physical and psychological health benefits, improved quality of life, and increased independence. Unfortunately, a variety of environmental, physical and social barriers substantially limit opportunities for people with disabilities to engage in this important health behavior. The exigencies of contemporary life make activities of recreation, leisure and exercise a critical component of a healthy, satisfying and productive life. Rectech focuses on four areas of research and development that are key to promoting health and function and community participation for people with disabilities: 1) increasing access to the environments, equipment, and programs associated with healthy, active lifestyles; 2) encouraging greater participation in healthful levels of physical activity; 3) promoting adherence to being physically active on a regular basis, ideally every day; and 4) expanding the knowledge base on health and function outcomes of physical activity for people with disabilities.

View presentations from the first Rectech State of the Science Conference held in May 2006

Key Activities of RERC Rectech

Identify existing and needed recreational and fitness technologies for people with disabilities.

Determine feasibility, efficacy, and safety of various recreational and exercise technologies in improving health and function for people with disabilities.

Key Performance Measures for RERC RecTech:

1. Increased ACCESS to fitness and recreational environments for people with disabilities.
2. Higher levels of PARTICIPATION in fitness and active recreational activities by people with disabilities.
3. Development of strategies to improve ADHERENCE to fitness and active recreational activities for people with disabilities.
4. Demonstrated improvements in HEALTH and FUNCTION through healthier, active lifestyles for people with disabilities.

RERC RecTech’s Research and Development Framework

The figure below presents a conceptual framework illustrating the key elements in Rectech's approach to promoting physical activity among people with disabilities. It identifies four essential outcome domains for health promotion efforts to help people with disabilities have an enjoyable and healthful experience in physical activity, structured exercise and recreation: Access, Participation, Adherence, and Health and Function. The expected long-term outcome is that improvements in each of these domains will increase quality of life and health among children, youth, adults and seniors with disabilities. From the standpoint of the consumer, there is a logical progression through these elements and the framework reflects this progression through the metaphor of “ramping up” to successive levels.

The most fundamental requirement for engaging in physical activity is Access, the ability of an individual being able to experience typical use of the environment or equipment. Currently, there is a pervasive lack of accessible sports and fitness facilities, gyms, parks, trails, and pools, which precludes many people with disabilities from engaging in these activities.

The second element in the framework is Participation. People with disabilities need to be able to participate in the activities to which they have access. Having access to a facility (e.g., swimming pool, weight training room) is a necessary but not sufficient condition for a satisfactory and beneficial experience. The user must have the opportunity for full participation in the programs that are offered in these settings.

The third key element is Adherence. This is the most challenging domain for most people with and without disability. While adherence is a chronic problem for everyone, it poses substantially greater difficulties for people with disabilities because of limited opportunities in regard to access and participation.

The final element in the framework is Health and Function. It is universally recognized that regularly participating in active recreation and fitness activities improves both quality of life and health status. Ultimately, all of Rectech's efforts are directed at making the myriad physical and psychological health benefits associated with active lifestyles more readily available to people with disabilities.