Adaptive Winter Sports Equipment Empowers Injured Athletes By: James Herrera – Physical Health and Wellness Director, Wounded Warrior Project
The sheer determination of injured athletes to succeed in sports – and life – is inspiring, and Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) offers programs, support, and advice to our dynamic warriors to make that happen.
Most of us will watch the games on TV, and some will fly to South Korea to witness the events on the snowy sidelines. Even if you can’t travel on such short notice, you still can get outside and get active yourself.
By using specialized equipment, injured athletes can fully participate in most winter sports like skiing, snowboarding, hockey, and curling. Improvements in adaptive equipment technology have made it easier for these brave men and women to experience the thrills and challenges of athletics.
Adaptive physical activity innovations have made it possible for injured sports enthusiasts to participate in many winter activities, including downhill skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, sled hockey, and wheelchair curling.
Winter sports will hit primetime in February and March with the 2018 Olympics and Paralympic Winter Games in PyeongChang, South Korea. 16
HOMELAND / February 2018
Adaptive equipment is constructed with lightweight and strong metals, such as aluminum and titanium, that can endure the extreme conditions and rigors of winter sports.