Programme

Schools Programme

Adaptive Rowing challenges barriers to participation in this sport for individuals with physical, sensory and learning impairments by providing opportunities supported by a range of technical and coaching resources offering full and meaningful participation in the sport, enabling individuals to make the most of their abilities.

Our Adaptive Rowing Schools Programme provides rowing sessions for children with physical, sensory and learning impairments. Rowing has been previously only enjoyed by their mainstream peers.

We further provide meaningful opportunities for children with perceptuo-motor dysfunction including dyspraxia. Rowing places emphasis on the deficits that cause dyspraxia symptoms, i.e. deficits in spatial awareness, sense of direction, sequencing, short-term memory, fine and gross motor coordination, and sensory motor integration and language.

We provide rowing for children who present with pervasive developmental conditions including autism spectrum disorders.

Richard House Hospice

Children's Hospices provide respite and terminal care for children and young people who are not expected to live into adulthood. There are currently only 34 children's hospices in the UK and incredibly, until Richard House was built, there were none in London.

Through our Adaptive Rowing programme we provide opportunities for children who attend 'drop-in' sessions and a siblings group.

FES (Functional Electrical Stimulaton) Rowing

Rowing opportunities for persons with Spinal Cord Injury, including both indoor and water based participation. The London Regatta Centre has a state-of-the-art indoor powered rowing tank with an electric hoist and specialist seating.

What is FES?

FES (Functional Electrical Stimulation) rowing has been the subject of research by our partners at Brunel University into finding an activity, intense enough, to help prevent coronary heart disease and type-2 diabetes in persons who have experienced a spinal cord injury. Peripheral benefits of this exercise include improved circulation and mineral bone density, stabilised upper body joints and reduced susceptibility to overuse-type injuries.

At the present stage of development, FES rowing involves the use of an adapted Concept 2 indoor rowing machine along with the stimulation of the motor points of the quadriceps and hamstring muscle groups via a 9v stimulator and non invasive surface contact electrodes.

Our partners include Brunel and Oxford University together with the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital . The RNOH is recognised as a national centre of excellence for the treatment of acute and chronic neuro-musculoskeletal conditions in children and young adolescents. We are currently looking to establish a Paediatric FES and On-Water programme in collaboration with RNOH and the National Spinal Injuries Centre, Stoke Mandeville.

Rowing Opportunities for Youth With Mental Health Impairments

There is now clear medical evidence to support the claim that exercise is related to positive mental health as indicated by relief in symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Medical experts are urging GPs across the country to prescribe physical activity and a healthy lifestyle instead of pills for many of their patients.

We are in the process of establishing an informal GP referral system for youth with:

• mental health impairments, including anxiety, depression
• eating disorders such as bulimia and anorexia
• drug dependency

Acquired or Traumatic Brain Injury

Due to a decreased coordination of movements in individuals with brain injury, activities like walking and running can be contra-indicative since the feet and legs are in some persons less fluently and subtly placed on the ground during gait. This results in larger reaction forces in the joints, which could in the long term lead to damage in these joints. Since reaction forces during a rowing motion are less than during walking, it is less likely that (cartilage) damage in the joints occurs as a result of rowing training.

Rowing is an exercise that involves upper and lower body. This means that a maximal amount of muscle mass is involved in the exercise. The more active muscle mass the higher the intensity of the exercise can be. However also with less strenuous effort rowing can be a good and rewarding work-out. Several studies have shown that the average person with TBI has a lower exercise tolerance and is less physically fit than an average able-bodied person. Rowing (especially on an indoor rowing ergometer) is a type of training where you can slowly build up your training and keep a good eye on you progress. The fact that you can row from 8 till 88 years old implies that you can exercise on your own intensity and set your own goals'

Why such a unique venue?

• Accessible venue with good public transport infrastructure.
• Accessible boathouse with wide sliding doors for wheelchair users' access.
• Generous spacing between boat bays for wheelchair access.
• Sliding Boat Rack storage system to facilitate easy removal / replacement of boats.
• 2000m multi-lane rowing course.
• Bespoke rowing pontoon system with a stable platform together with 'wheelchair friendly' access ramps to boating stage. Anti-slip polypropylene surface, 0.18m freeboard ensures boat floats at correct transfer height for individuals with physical disabilities.
• A range of 'adaptive boats' together with postural support seating systems for individuals with compromised sitting balance. Modified equipment including hand splints for individuals with limited hand function.
• State-of-the-art indoor powered rowing tank with electric hoist to enable individuals with physical disabilities access.
• Accessible fitness suite with 'Inclusive Fitness Initiative' (IFI) accredited equipment.
• Accessible changing, shower and toilet facilities.
• Accessible accommodation.

The programme has already established itself with an international reputation for its work with individuals who have spinal injuries and is recognised by the National Governing Body (Amateur Rowing Association) as a 'Blueprint for Best Practice'. The director of Adaptive Rowing regularly lectures around the world on impairment-specific coaching techniques in adaptive rowing within his role as a FISA Commission member.

 

London Youth Rowing is a joint initiative with London Youth and the Royal Albert Dock Trust, with major sponsorship from The Man Group plc. Charity nos 303324 & 1010519 © London Youth Rowing 2007 |    |  Contact   |  Site by extols