Health & Wellness

Health & Wellness

Healthy Athletes

Special Olympics Louisiana (SOLA) offers health and wellness resources to individuals with intellectual disabilities. Search our list of upcoming events or use our regional map to find the nearest Health and Wellness event.

Why It Matters

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), despite the severe need and higher health risk, people with intellectual disabilities are denied health services, and community interventions, and there is a lack of targeted interventions and programs for the population. Healthcare professionals who volunteer with Special Olympics have found that Special Olympics athletes are at increased risk of secondary health issues.

What We Do For Health

Healthy Athletes® is dedicated to providing health screenings and education to our athletes while changing how future health professionals interact with people with intellectual disabilities.

Special Olympics is the world’s largest public health organization for people with intellectual disabilities, providing access to free health services for a population with significant, unmet health needs. Often, those with intellectual disabilities and their families don’t understand what is needed to optimize their health. Healthy Athletes provides accessible information, resources, systems, and policies at the individual, community, national and global levels that support them in realizing sustainable healthy, and productive lives. 

Interested in helping?

Clinical Directors

Special Olympics Clinical Directors are volunteer professionals who are responsible for working with their local Special Olympics Program and other volunteer health professionals in coordinating the local Healthy Athletes Program.​

Volunteer Benefits

SOLA health programs serve athletes and train healthcare professionals. After working with Healthy Athletes®, these dedicated professionals return to their practices with more knowledge and compassion for people with intellectual disabilities.

Ways To Be Healthy

Strong Minds

Emotional Health

MedFest

Medical History
and Physical Exam

Special Smiles

Dental Health

Opening Eyes

Lions Club Intl.
Eye Health

Healthy Hearing

Audiology

Health Promotion

Healthy Living &
Preventative Screenings

FUNFitness

Physical Therapy

Fit Feet

Podiatry

Connecting Fitness to
Sports Performance

Performance Stations are events held near the field of play at tournaments or Games that prepare athletes to compete to their personal best and make the connection between fitness and athletic performance. Athletes complete a competition readiness assessment and are provided items and guidance for optimal sports performance. Given the importance of fitness and social support, everyone connected to the athlete can participate in the station to improve their performance, fitness, and ability to be active and healthy.

COMPETITION

Volunteers assist athletes in ensuring they are ready to compete in their events.

NUTRITION

Participants build their own healthy snack & learn about healthy choices and correct portion sizes.

HYDRATION

Participants will learn about the importance of drinking water as they build their own infused water.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

Participants learn about the importance of exercising through three exercises that can be done at home or at practice to improve their sport.

PLEDGE WALL

Now that participants have learned the importance of fitness to performance, they are ready to commit to a fitness goal.

LOCAL OPPORTUNITIES

Participants will receive a tote bag, Fit 5 guide, SO FIT! information, and flyers and event information for local opportunities.

Unified Fitness Clubs bring together individuals with and without intellectual disabilities, providing opportunities to engage in regular physical activity and talk about good nutrition. The Club focuses on participation, rather than competition – keeping things FUN!

  • A year-round club that meets at least once per week.
  • Each club selects activity types that suit the needs of its members.
  • Other fitness activities could include hiking, yoga, dancing, cycling, and strength training
  • Walking is appropriate for all fitness levels and is easy to access.
  • Participants are motivated to stay active throughout the week by tracking progress on goals, typically with a pedometer or fitness tracker.
  • Clubs and participants are recognized and rewarded for reaching certain milestones in steps/distance goals, or other fitness accomplishments. FITNESS CLUBS MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

 

Fitness Clubs motivate, educate, and inspire fitness through physical activity, healthy eating, and proper hydration. Clubs have been shown to be effective ways to encourage lifestyle change.

Want More Information?

Healthy Athletes

Healthy Athletes

Performance <br>Stations

Performance Stations

Fitness Club

United Fitness Club

If you are interested in our Health & Wellness programs and have questions, please message us and let us know!

Need More Info Form - Health & Wellness
Healthy Athletes is dedicated to providing health screenings and education to our athletes while changing the way future health professionals interact with people with intellectual disabilities.

 

Special Olympics is the world’s largest public health organization for people with intellectual disabilities, providing access to free health services for a population with significant, unmet health needs. Often, those with intellectual disabilities and their families don’t understand what is needed to optimize their health. Healthy Athletes provides accessible information, resources, systems and policies at the individual, community, national and global levels that support them in realizing sustainable healthy and productive lives.

WHAT
WE DO

Special Olympics Healthy Athletes® provides free health exams in a fun, welcoming environment that removes the anxiety that often accompanies a visit to a doctor or dentist. Thousands of free health exams are given to Special Olympics Louisiana athletes each year.

CLINICAL ​DIRECTORS

Special Olympics Clinical Directors are volunteer professionals who are responsible for working with their local Special Olympics Program and other volunteer health professionals in coordinating the local Healthy Athletes Program.​

VOLUNTEER BENEFITS

Special Olympics health programs not only serves athletes but also trains health care professionals. After working with Healthy Athletes®, these dedicated professionals go back to their practices with increased knowledge of and compassion for people with intellectual disabilities.

Strong Minds

Emotional Health

MedFest

Medical History
and Physical Exam

Special Smiles

Dental Health

Opening Eyes

Special Olympics
Lions Club International
Opening Eyes

Healthy Hearing

Audiology

Health Promotion

Healthy Living and
Preventative Screenings

FUNFitness

Physical Therapy

Fit Feet

Podiatry

Performance Stations are events held near the field of play at tournaments or Games that prepare athletes to compete to their personal best and make the connection between fitness and athletic performance. Athletes complete a competition readiness assessment and are provided items and guidance for optimal sport performance. Given the importance of fitness and social support, everyone connected to the athlete can participate in the station to improve their performance, fitness and ability to be active and healthy.

COMPETITION

Volunteers assist athletes to ensure that they are ready to compete in their event

NUTRITION

Participants will build their own healthy snack as they learn about healthy choices and correct portion sizes

HYDRATION

Participants will learn about the importance of drinking water as they build their own infused water

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

Participants learn about the importance of exercising by learning three exercises that they can do at home or at practice to improve their sport.

PLEDGE
WALL

Now that participants have learned the importance of fitness to performance, they are ready to commit to a fitness goal.

LOCAL OPPORTUNITIES

Participants will receive a tote bag, Fit 5 guide, SO FIT! information, and flyers and event information for local opportunities

Connecting Fitness to
Sports Performance

Performance Stations are events held near the field of play at tournaments or Games that prepare athletes to compete to their personal best and make the connection between fitness and athletic performance. Athletes complete a competition readiness assessment and are provided items and guidance for optimal sport performance. Given the importance of fitness and social support, everyone connected to the athlete can participate in the station to improve their performance, fitness and ability to be active and healthy.

Unified Fitness Clubs bring together individuals with and without intellectual disabilities, providing opportunities to engage in regular physical activity and talk about good nutrition. The Club focuses on participation, rather than competition – keeping things FUN!

  • A year-round club that meets at least once per week.
  • Each club selects activity types that suit the needs of its members.
  • Other fitness activities could include hiking, yoga, dancing, cycling, and strength training
  • Walking is appropriate for all fitness levels and is easy to access.
  • Participants are motivated to stay active throughout the week by tracking progress on goals, typically with a pedometer or fitness tracker.
  • Clubs and participants are recognized and rewarded for reaching certain milestones in steps/distance goals, or other fitness accomplishments. FITNESS CLUBS MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

 

Fitness Clubs motivate, educate, and inspire fitness through physical activity, healthy eating, and proper hydration. Clubs have been shown to be effective ways to encourage lifestyle change.

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