What is AES - NDD?

The ability to be physically active goes beyond optimal physical and mental wellbeing of the individual. While AES does take these individual factors into account, various social factors are also important to consider. Physical activity also depends on the existence and accessibility of adapted physical activity programs, modified equipment and amenities, and the ability of coaches to adequately supervise adapted physical activity. Thus, AES research might seek to develop exercise regimens, design modified equipment, and train exercise coaches to work with disabilities. 

Adapting exercise to best fit individual needs comes with the unique challenges of interdisciplinary research. The wide scope of exercise science requires collaboration between experts in psychology, biomechanics, human development, and physical education, to name a few. Comprehensively applying all these perspectives to research may take a great deal of patience and time. Furthermore, solutions in AES are rarely "one size fits all", because individual needs and comfort levels vary. Adapted exercise scientists must be creative. They must produce innovative solutions based on a strong knowledge of exercise, disabilities, and the people they are working to support.

Advancements in AES are constantly reshaping the way we think of exercise and physical health to paint a broad picture of health that includes everyone. On top of limited accessibility, many people are deterred from regular physical activity due to general disinterest, lack of convenience, perceived difficulty, and embarrassment. Modifications to typical exercise routines can address these issues by presenting novel, alternative ways to stay active that appeal to an individual's circumstance. As a consequence, anybody can reap the social, physical, and mental benefits of physical activity.