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Special Olympics Athletes with Physical Disabilities
Spinal Cord Damage
Quadriplegia (quad; loss of control of all four limbs) and paraplegia (para; loss of control of two limbs)
Damage to the spinal cord can result from an accident or birth defect (e.g., spina bifida) or from a disease such as polio. Spinal cord damage can result in either complete or partial loss of movement and sensation below the affected area.
- Spinal cord damage can result in a loss of bowel and bladder control.
- Sometimes, poor circulation can also be evident. When a limb is paralyzed, the skin loses its sensitivity and circulation is poor. Therefore, it is necessary to try to avoid bumping or scraping the legs, as abrasions will not be felt and take a long time to heal. If working in shallow water or where there is a chance of abrasion, it is advisable that the swimmer wear socks to protect their feet.
- People with spinal cord injury may not reach the same exercise heart-rate level as other swimmers.
- Body temperature, either too low or too high is a concern for the athlete with spinal cord injury. Extra fluids need to be consumed to help regulate their body temperature. The out-of-water as well as in-water environment needs to be considered.
- People with spinal cord damage tend to work better in warmer water. Colder water may lead to an increase in muscle spasms.
- Swimmers may require regular medication to prevent urinary tract infections.
- A pull buoy is effective in coaching freestyle, as it enables those who have a tendency to have leg drag feel streamlined. A rubber band may be necessary when using a pull buoy to keep the legs together; ensure that it is not too tight, as the swimmer will be unaware.
- Quadriplegics may need to increase body roll to facilitate breathing.
- Breaststroke must not include a dolphin kick. Encourage swimmers to frog kick for balance or they may leave the legs to drag. They may take more than one stroke per breath; however, they must break the water on each stroke.
- In butterfly, when there is no leg movement, the head control is critical. The chin must be tucked onto the chest on the re-entry of the hands into the water. It may be in the best interest of the swimmer to breathe to the side. Butterfly may not be possible for some injured athletes.
- Most paraplegics and quadraplegics can learn to dive, either standing on or beside the blocks, with or without assistance.
- Back care is essential if assisting a swimmer into or out of the water who uses a wheelchair. Training is required.
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