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FUNfitness (Physiotherapy) 

athlete laying on his back with his legs elevated reaching to touch his toes; two volunteers observe and encourage him.

FUNfitness is a physiotherapy (physical therapy) screening that examines the flexibility, strength, balance , and aerobic fitness of Special Olympics athletes and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Dysfunction in any of these areas can result in pain, discomfort, and sub-optimal activity performance in sports and everyday life. During these screenings, physiotherapists, students, and other related health professionals, identify areas of concern in the above areas to offer education and expert guidance on suggested follow-up care including exercise recommendations, sport-specific training tips, and when appropriate, referral recommendations.

For further information or general inquiries related to this discipline, please contact us at funfitness@specialolympics.org. SO Program staff and established Clinical Directors are encouraged to submit their questions through our online form available here.

Health Disciplines

Fit Feet (Podiatry) 

Adult male receiving a foot examination from a female volunteer; another volunteer takes notes and observes.

A discipline of Healthy Athletes, Fit Feet is a podiatric screening for Special Olympics athletes and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) that focuses on athletes’ ankle & foot health, lower extremity biomechanics, as well as footwear fit and condition. Many Special Olympics athletes are wearing the wrong size or type of shoes while competing, which can contribute to or worsen the presence of foot and ankle pain and dysfunction. Together, these issues can negatively impact an athletes’ navigation of everyday life and sport performance. During Fit Feet screenings, volunteer foot care specialists & students work with athletes to identify areas of concern. Using the results of the screening, volunteers provide athletes, coaches, families, and caregivers education on proper foot care and health to maximize the athlete’s ability to step lively onto the playing field of everyday life.

For further information or general inquiries related to this discipline, please contact us at fitfeet@specialolympics.org. SO Program staff and established Clinical Directors are encouraged to submit their questions through our online form available here.

Health Disciplines

Special Olympics Lions Clubs International Foundation Opening Eyes® (Vision Care)

A discipline of Healthy Athletes, the Lions Clubs International Foundation Opening Eyes^® program provides non–dilated vision screenings, refractions, and fabrication of prescription eyewear to Special Olympic athletes. Opening Eyes strives to positively impact the attitudes of the optometrists, ophthalmologist, opticians, eye care professionals, along with optometry students and ophthalmology residents, who volunteer to care for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Opening Eyes Clinical Volunteers serve to educate the athletes, their guardians, and coaches about the importance of vision in performance in sports, school, and work. Through generous donations from our corporate sponsors, Safilo who provides frames, and OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation who provides lenses, athletes will receive appropriate eyewear at the culmination of the screening.

The Opening Eyes screening does NOT replace a comprehensive eye exam, which includes dilation. Unified partners are not eligible to receive eyewear. Athletes, Unified partners, coaches, and guardians should be aware of this when present at the screening.

For further information or general inquiries related to this discipline, please contact us at openingeyes@specialolympics.org. SO Program staff and established Clinical Directors are encouraged to submit their questions through our online form available here.

NFL x Special Olympics Unified Flag Football

Since 2017, the NFL and Special Olympics have had an official partnership together that provides opportunities for athletes of all ages and abilities to “PLAY 60” through Unified flag football. NFL PLAY 60 is the League’s national youth health and wellness platform.

Healthy Communities Webinars

June 2024

Introducing the Golisano Health Leadership Awards process for 2024 – 2025.Slides (PDF)

Inclusive Health

Health Messengers

Six people standing in a circle with their arms around one another looking down as the photographer is looking up taking a photo of them.

The only way to end exclusion is to have people who face these challenges daily help create the solution.

Healthy Communities

Please use the approved Special Olympics resources below to guide your year-round health work. At the top of the page, you will also find information for managing your 12-month Healthy Communities Impact Grant.

FUNfitness

As an athlete, how your body moves helps you to play at your best and prevent injury. Physiotherapy, also know as physical therapy, and regular exercise in specific areas can help make sure you stay healthy and fit.Play the video below to learn more about what physiotherapy is and how it relates to FUNfitness at Special Olympics.

Global Unified Champion Schools Program Network

Fitness

Nutrition

To be a great athlete, you need to be a healthy athlete. Nutrition includes the foods athletes eat, how their bodies digest food and how their bodies use the components of food. Eating a healthy diet can improve athletes’ health and performance, on and off the field.