― Glide to Growth (NFP)
Figure skating can be therapeutic for mental disabilities. A study designed to test whether therapeutic skating could be beneficial to patients with autism spectrum disorder recruited two autistic boys into various skating sessions. These boys participated in three 1-hour skating sessions every week for 12 weeks. The study found that skating can produce physical benefits for these children, which include improvements in balance, motor behavior, and functional capacity, and serve as an alternative approach to other activities.
Casey, A. F.; Quenneville-Himbeault, G.; Normore, A.; Davis, H.; Martell, S. G., A therapeutic skating intervention for children with autism spectrum disorder. Pediatr Phys Ther 2015, 27 (2), 170-7.
Another group of scientists conducted a study with a much larger participant group enrolled 22 children, aged 5-12 years with developmental disabilities in figure skating once per week over a period of 6 weeks. Using a questionnaire, the authors found that the parents of participating children were satisfied with the program and indicated overall improvements in their children’s balance, endurance, self-esteem, and confidence.
Fragala-Pinkham, M. A.; Dumas, H. M.; Boyce, M.; Peters, C. Y.; Haley, S. M., Evaluation of an adaptive ice skating programme for children with disabilities. Dev Neurorehabil 2009, 12 (4), 215-23.
This study demonstrated the benefits of figure skating in the mental and social health of the skaters. The researchers recruited 143 students who performed recreational figure skating and evaluated their perceptions of its benefits through questionnaires. The results showed that there was a strong correlation between figure skating and the improvement of physical development and fitness. The practice also contributes to the improvement of mental and social abilities.
Ionescu, A.; Badau, D., Student Perceptions of Motor, Mental and Social Benefits and the Impact of Practicing Recreational Figure Skating. Behav Sci (Basel) 2018, 8 (12).
Glide to Growth empowers disabled children through figure skating. Tailoring lessons to each child’s needs, our instructors provide physical, mental, and emotional benefits to improve their overall quality of life. We also foster a supportive community for disabled children and families as figure skating can help children reach their full potential.
