Healthy Athletes Program

Presenting Sponsor:

The health of our Michigan community is vital as we face mounting statistics about obesity and disease, especially in our diverse communities. From physical activity to wellness and obesity prevention, we focus on promoting healthy lifestyles for Michigan residents.
- Bridget G. Hurd
Director, Community Responsibility

Healthy Athletes® Program

For more than 10 years, Special Olympics has been serving athletes by offering free health screenings and health information at local, regional and World Games. In the process, Special Olympics has become the largest global public health organization dedicated to serving people with intellectual disabilities.

Special Olympics Michigan has been participating in Healthy Athletes® initiative for many years and it striving to give our athletes health screenings and information about their health. Athletes are able to participate in all or some of the health screenings at State Summer and Winter Games, State Poly Hockey Finals, and State Soccer Finals. New Videos Offer Training for Healthy Athletes'® Volunteers.

Programs and trainers for the Healthy Athletes® disciplines FUNfitness and Health Promotion now have new videos to assist in orienting new clinical directors. Used in conjunction with in-person training or as a refresher for existing clinical directors, these videos provide step-by-step instruction for conducting health screenings and education and tips on how to communicate and interact with athletes.

Health Promotion: Click here
FUNfitness part 1: Click here
FUNfitness part 2: Click here

2012 Healthy Athletes Village

2012 Family Health Forum

For more Healthy Athletes resources click here

Fit Feet

Special Olympics Fit Feet is a free pediatric screening for participating Special Olympics athletes evaluating ankles, feet, lower extremity bio-mechanics, and proper shoe and sock gear.

FUNfitness

Special Olympics FUNfitness is a physical therapy screening program that is designed to assess and improve physical strength, flexibility and balance, educate athletes and parents on the importance of staying physically fit and flexible, and provide a hands-on opportunity for participating Special Olympics athletes to learn more about physical therapy

Health Promotion

Special Olympics Health Promotion is a free screening that offers health information and advice in the areas of nutrition, sun safety, bone density, tobacco cessation, and physical fitness. Health Promotion is designed to convey and reinforce key concepts on healthy living, healthy lifestyle choices, and nation-specific health issues.

Healthy Hearing

Special Olympics Healthy Hearing program is a free hearing screening designed to ensure proper audiological care for participating Special Olympics athletes. Led by volunteer professionals, Healthy Hearing also provides tests for cerumen (ear wax) and otoacoustic emissions tests

Opening Eyes

The Special Olympics-Lions Clubs International Opening Eyes program is a vision and eye health screening in partnership with the Lions Clubs International Foundation. Led by volunteer vision care professionals, Opening Eyes is able to offer prescription eyewear, sunglasses, and sports goggles to Special Olympics athletes.

Special Smiles

Special Olympics Special Smiles offers free dental screening, oral health information, and instructions on brushing and flossing properly to participating Special Olympics athletes, as well as preventative supplies like toothpaste and toothbrushes. Athletes who require follow up dental services are referred to local oral health professionals.