Maria Ambrosini

Recreation Therapy Treatment Program and One Session

Maria
Ambrosini,
Recreation Therapy Treatment
Program and One Session

Maria Ambrosini
Florida
International University

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Maria Ambrosini

Recreation Therapy Treatment Program and One Session

Recreation Therapy Treatment Program and One Session

Rational and Purpose of Treatment Program: Physical Fitness is a very common and noninvasive method of treatment used in Therapeutic recreation. It helps patients improve their
flexibility, strength, and range of motion, cognitive skills, coordination and an overall functional
and mobile independence. Patients who have had an accident, sports injury, or any other physical
disability due to other acute incidents or chronic diseases may benefit from any kind of physical
fitness according to their need. Some disabilities we treat are Spinal Cord Injury (SCI),
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Neurological disabilities and more. Active exercise therapy
involves movements that are done within the patients own power and ability. This includes leg
raises, jumping on a trampoline, walking on a treadmill or performing lateral arm raises. All
these examples are exercises performed with the patient using their own power to move and
enhance their functional skills. (Therapeutic Health Organization Blog, 2015). Based on patients
disability and needs interventions can include, cardiovascular training, strength, aerobics,
endurance training and interval training to achieve clients overall independence.
The intended population ranges from 18 years old to elderly. The main population this program
treats is individuals with neurological impairments which include injuries that originate in the
nervous system. These are known to be injuries such as Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) and traumatic
brain injury (TBI). Spinal cord injuries involve trauma to the spinal cord that creates disturbance
of either motor function or sensation. Spinal cord injuries can be paraplegia or quadriplegia, also
known as tetraplegia. Paraplegia is injury to the sacral, lumbar, or thoracic areas of the spinal
column. Quadriplegia is injuries between the cervical areas of the neck and beginning and
thoracic. Spinal injuries can be classified as complete or incomplete. Traumatic brain injury
(TBI) is a physical insult to the brain that may cause problems with physical, emotional, and
social functioning (Datillo, 2012, p. 448).
In addition, the program treats a couple of individuals with mental disorders. Some mental
disorders are a type of dysfunction that occurs while the body is coping with stress, ultimately
causing many physiological issues. The main categories associated with this disorder are
intrusive memories or flashbacks, emotional numbing, anxiety, and increased arousal. In
addition, an individual may lose control and feel helpless when participating in regular activities.
Each individuals symptoms vary. Some may dislike loud noises and crowds while others can
feel uncomfortable or become aggressive in inoffensive situations. Exercise can play an
important role in helping clients with mental disorders recover and regain confidence as well as
physically become stronger. Other benefits include fighting obesity and cardiovascular diseases.
The purpose for the exercise and fitness program provides a variety of physical activities and
workouts to enhance individuals overall health, specially their physical and functional activities.
Patients will have the ability to achieve and obtain knowledge to overcome regular
environmental barriers that they may struggle with due to their physical or functional limitations.
Clients will learn how to use gym equipment and other materials they may use in their day to day
lifestyle. Clients benefits include improved physical adeptness, increased strength and flexibility,
improved physical fitness and health, improved athletic prowess, improved coordination. A plan
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Maria Ambrosini

Recreation Therapy Treatment Program and One Session

is created with a variety of activities according to the individuals interest, ability, and current
leisure and fitness awareness. Also, the sports and fitness treatment program is to help the
individuals cope with the stress and decrease their levels of depression through fun, active, and
relaxed workouts
Staff Requirements/Competence: The therapist(s) will have demonstrated competence in
exercise physiology, stress management training, and relaxation techniques. It is recommended
to hold a certification in one or more of the following areas:
Certified Fitness Instructor
Certified Therapeutic Recreational Therapist
B.S. or higher in Exercise Physiology
B.S. or higher in Sports Management
B.S. or higher in Psychology
Continuing education is required for all therapists in order to ensure the most qualified care
possible. Education in psychology, sociology, exercise physiology, recreational therapy, and
similar courses are offered multiple times yearly to ensure continuing educational requirements
are met.
Entrance Criteria / Diagnosis and systems to be treated: Individuals must have a
developmental disability, or any other depressive or mental disorders and neurological disorder
must have a diagnosed and a doctors referral in order to enter the program. A low to moderate
intensity exercise routine can elevate mood, reduce anxiety, and act as an overall stress reliever.
A sports and fitness program can help individuals cope with stress, depression, and anxiety
disorders. Participant will work on their cardiovascular endurance, strength, range of motion,
flexibility and confidence.
Exit Criteria: At the end of the treatment the client should be able to cope with stressful
situation in a more managed way. Client will also be able to continue practicing any sports they
enjoy in order to remain strengthening their stress coping skills. In addition, for patients with
Neurological and development as disorder clients should be able to have more flexibility,
strength, and range of motion, cognitive skills, coordination and an overall functional and mobile
independence.
Safety Considerations: When working with individuals with developmental disabilities,
neurological disorder and any mental disorders, high levels of depression, fatigue are common
symptoms. If participants are on antidepressant they must be referred by a doctor. Due to fatigue,
based on each participants level of depression, exercise intensity and durability needs to be
adjusted to avoid clients becoming overtired. In addition, if participant has high level of
aggressiveness when received stress due to exercise, intervention should take place in a private
individualized space.

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Maria Ambrosini

Recreation Therapy Treatment Program and One Session

Client and Environmental Risks
Client Risks: Some clients with mental disorder might become aggressive and some can lose
control. Others with developmental and neurological disabilities might have risk of fall, Seizures,
aggressiveness.
Environmental Risks: Rain, uneven grounds, machines at the gym not prepared for people with
disabilities, not accessible routes in the parks.
Facility and Equipment Required
Facility Required: For the group intervention, we utilize facilities that will provide a specious,
save and clean environment such as parks, basketball courts and a fitness center.
Equipment Required: Resistance balls, Free Weights, Steps, Resistance, Bands Balls, Multistation weight machine, Static Bicycles, Equalizer, Upper tone Gym, Treadmills, Rowing
Machines and Medicine Balls
Outcome Criteria (Expected change): The participants will learn to cope with their levels of
depression and stress, generalized anxiety, depression, and similar disorders through sports and
fitness. Participant with developmental disabilities will be able to perform daily full range of
motion activities, skills and tasks. All participants will be able to engage in the Park and
recreation community services in order to continue accomplishing their goals.
1 session
SESSION (NAME/TITLE) :
Super Fit
SESSION DESCRIPTION:
The purpose of this session is to help facilitate participants functional ability to
participation in any leisure activity by learning and performing full range of motion
moves using machines in a fitness facility to strengthen their muscles.
SESSION OBJECTIVES:
To demonstrate the importance of physical activity to gain independence
To enhance participants health through muscle strength, flexibility and cardio exercise
To demonstrate the ability of performing full range of motion movements
To demonstrate ability to play, lift, and participate in adapted sports
To enhance individuals ability hand eye coordination
To enhance positive self esteem
SESSION LIFE SKILLS:
Community engagement, full range of motion sills ir order to perform daily tasks.
SESSION TIME:
30- 45min Switching machines every 5-10 minutes
SESSION MATERIALS: (WHATS NEEDED?)
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Maria Ambrosini

Recreation Therapy Treatment Program and One Session

Static Bikes
Multi Station Machines
SESSION PROCESS:
Orientation/ Ice breaker
Introduction to activity
Learning Activity
Observations/ evaluations
Closing of activity
Conclusion
SESSION CONTENT:
Orientation Activity
Introduction
Learning activity
Debriefings
Conclusion
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interventions. Swiss Academy for Development Report (2007).

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2015

from

Maria Ambrosini

Recreation Therapy Treatment Program and One Session

National Council For therapeutic Recreation Certification, Retrieved March 24, 2015,
Retrieved from http://www.nctrc.org/documents/5JobAnalysis.pdf

NCHPAD, Spinal Cord Injury and Exercise, Retrieved in March 23, 2015 from
http://www.nchpad.org/111/860/Spinal~Cord~Injury~and~Exercise

Sports and Fitness Center, Recreational Therapy, Retrieved on March 25th, 2015 from
http://www.spofit.org/recreation-therapy/

Therapeutic Health Organization Blog, 2015 Retrieved on March 20, 2015 from
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