Health and Fitness

Good health improves the lives of people with intellectual disabilities. It improves each Special Olympics athlete’s ability to train and compete in sports. Special Olympics Indiana works with global partners, governments and policy-making organizations to ensure health services, education and opportunities to reach people with ID.

Research has shown that the poor health of people with ID is due to a lack of health education, health promotion, and health care access.

Throughout the years, programs offered by Special Olympics have profoundly changed or saved the lives of athletes. Through Fit 4 Life, Healthy Athletes and Healthy Communities programs, Special Olympics Indiana works to improve overall fitness, reduce obesity, improve oral health, reduce rates of infectious disease and improve the hearing and vision of our athletes.

Here are some of the programs we offer to help our athletes create and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Special Olympics Indiana in 2024 launched its Train 4 Life initiative, a free fitness program designed for people with intellectual disabilities that includes partnerships with facilities within the communities where athletes live. Train 4 Life is a wellness project that focuses on fitness, nutrition and mental health for Special Olympics athletes ages 13 and older. The 12-week program includes pre- and post-program biometric and fitness testing, group workouts, weekly nutrition and healthy lifestyle education. By developing these healthy choices within individuals, the program allows athletes to see measured outcomes and continue good habits throughout their lifetimes.

Special Olympics Indiana Unified Fitness Clubs bring together people with and without intellectual disabilities to provide opportunities for regular fitness activity that enhance fitness and inspire friendships among participants. The Club follows the Unified Sports® Recreational Model focusing on participation rather than competition. Each Club participant receives an individual tracking device that monitors individual and Club progress. The Club provides the platform for individuals to challenge themselves and earn individual and Club rewards. The Club begins with walking as its main physical activity, gradually incorporating a wider variety of other physical activities into weekly or bi-weekly sessions.

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Fit Feet is a free podiatric screening for participating Special Olympics athletes evaluating ankles, feet, lower extremity biomechanics and proper shoe and sock gear. In partnership with the International Federation of Podiatrists (FIP) and the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine, Fit Feet also provides referrals for that require follow up services. Athletes are screened by podiatrists and podiatry students and educated on their correct shoe size as well as nail and skin care. Fit Feet screenings throughout the United States have indicated that a large number of Special Olympics athletes have untreated foot conditions, including 58% with gait abnormalities; 44% with skin and nail conditions; 24% with bone deformation; 41% with the wrong size shoe.

Healthy Hearing screenings are free exams designed to ensure proper audiological care for participating Special Olympics athletes. Led by volunteer professionals, Healthy Hearing also provides tests for ear wax and optoacoustic emissions tests. The amount of hearing loss among Special Olympics athletes is much greater than that found in the general population. Most athletes’ hearing problems are previously undetected, un-served or under-treated. Healthy Hearing screenings throughout the United States have found that a large percentage of Special Olympics athletes have untreated hearing conditions, including 42% with blocked or partially blocked ear canals and 29% with a failed Puretone hearing screening.

Opening Eyes works to improve the quality of life for the millions of individuals diagnosed with ID by optimizing their vision, eye health and visual skills through quality eye care. Through a grant from the Lions Clubs International Foundation, the partnership of Special Olympics and Lions Clubs International is dramatically expanding the effort’s scope. Led by volunteer vision care professionals, Opening Eyes provides: vision screenings, refractions and dispensing of appropriate eyewear; education to athletes, parents and coaches about the importance of regular eye care; permanent changes in the attitudes of eye care professionals about the vision care needs of persons with intellectual disabilities worldwide; and increased knowledge of visual and eye health needs of persons with intellectual disabilities through research. Opening Eyes screenings throughout the US have found that a large percentage of Special Olympics athletes have untreated eye conditions, including 35% need new prescription glasses; 15% have an eye disease; and 5% have never had an eye exam.

Dental screenings are a way to increase awareness of the state of the athletes’ oral health as well as provide information to their parents and/or caregivers. Athletes are given hygiene education to help ensure they are doing an adequate job of brushing and flossing, as well as nutritional education to understand how their diet affects their overall health. At Special Smiles screenings, dental professionals provide health education, prevention services and refer athletes for follow-up care. Athletes are given a new toothbrush, toothpaste and dental floss. Free mouthguards are provided for athletes competing in contact or high-risk sports. Athletes who have completed a permission slip also receive a fluoride varnish. Special Smiles screenings throughout the US have found that a large percentage of our athletes are unaware of the condition of their oral health, including: 47% have periodontal conditions; 24% have untreated tooth decay; 12% have dental pain; and 10% are in need of urgent care.

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General Health Promotion events are focused on improving the quality and length of life for Special Olympics Indiana athletes by providing athletes with knowledge and tools to make better decisions about their overall health. To encourage healthy behaviors, reduce risks and improve self-efficacy and self-advocacy, healthcare professionals provide athletes health screenings (BMI, blood pressure and bone mineral density (BDM) measurements), interactive educational tools and motivational health information. Health Promotion focuses on the following core areas, including nutrition and hydration; bone health; sun safety and skin care; tobacco avoidance and cessation; physical activity; and additional health topics include hygiene and sanitation, sleep deprivation, food and water-borne illness, cardiovascular health and night safety. What we’ve found is 37% adult athletes are overweight or obese; 24% have low bone density; and 23% of children and adolescents are overweight or obese.

FUNfitness screenings are designed to identify needs, help athletes improve flexibility, strength, balance and aerobic conditions. As well as educate athletes, coaches and their families on the importance of these aspects of health. The screening provides a hands-on opportunity for athletes to learn appropriate exercises from physical therapy professionals. FUNfitness is the result of an established professional relationship between American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and Special Olympics Inc.