Navigation

• The CAGE Children and Youth Programs
• Adult Fitness and Lifestyle Programs
• Research Practicum Opportunities

Adult Fitness and Lifestyle Programs

Practicum Opportunities

The Steadward Centre for Personal & Physical Achievement is a disability research centre within the Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation at the University of Alberta that provides fitness, motor skill development, health and lifestyle programs for people with disabilities.

Currently the Adult fitness and Lifestyle Programs provides over 300 adults with physical disabilities an opportunity to maintain a healthy lifestyle through our unique programs.

During your practicum we will:

• Ensure an exceptional applied learning opportunity through unique experiences, research and innovative programming
• Offer a one of a kind opportunity to gain hands on experience in Edmonton 's only adapted fitness facility
• Provide you with sufficient training and tools to feel confident and educated in performing fitness assessments for persons with disabilities
• Provide you with the tools to develop and assist with fitness programs for persons with disabilities
• Ensure both superior professional and personal growth through complete participation in staff meetings, brainstorming sessions and professional development workshops
• Allow for the opportunity to explore creativity and knowledge

Students will have an opportunity to learn and contribute to the following areas:

1. Adult Fitness and Lifestyle program
2. Functional Electrical Stimulation program
3. Short-term activities

Top

Program: Adult Fitness and Lifestyle

Overview: Membership includes over 300 individuals from Edmonton and surrounding area comprised of persons with disabilities such as

• Spinal cord injury
• Multiple sclerosis
• Spinal bifida
• Cerebral palsy
• Stroke
• and muscular dystrophy.

Locations	University of Alberta , St. Joseph Catholic High School , Austin O'Brien Catholic High School
Learning Opportunities	Become proficient in the development of various adapted assessment techniques Develop appropriate exercise programs for members using assessment data Work one on one with members to increase range of motion, strength, cardiovascular conditioning and improve exercise knowledge and technique
Potential Projects	Assist national and elite athletes with training Create a guide on a specific disability, assessment protocol generally used and tips for providing appropriate exercise programs.

Top

Program: Functional Electrical Stimulation

Overview: Muscle paralysis often results in a decrease in exercise activity, which in turn has a drastic effect on a person's physiological and psychological health. Our FES program, which is unique to Edmonton , provides exercise opportunities for individuals who experience muscle paralysis due to spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis or stroke.

Our three modes of FES exercise include

• FES conditioning,
• FES cycling
• and FES rowing.

Locations	University of Alberta , St. Joseph Catholic High School
Learning Opportunities	Become proficient in setting up members on FES exercise equipment Develop manual lifting and transfer techniques for preventing member and assistant injury Continue data collection on member progress for the purpose of tracking exercise efficiency and improving member motivation Partner-training with tetraplegic rowers
Potential Projects	Develop FES rowing club for independent rowers Pilot an FES cycling and arm ergometer exercise program

Top

Program: Short-Term Activities

Overview: We provide our members with a variety of fitness options offered throughout the year. New and innovative activities are developed to ensure our members have unique opportunities.

Locations	University of Alberta , St. Joseph Catholic High School , Austin O'Brien Catholic High School
Learning Opportunities	Assist with organizing and implementing current activities such as Water in Motion, Trail Rider Wall-Climbing Help design lesson plans for the activity sessions Assist with developing the summer Adventure Series
Potential Projects	Organize an activity session for our members, this may include researching, designing and implementing activity as well as evaluating and writing a report on activity success Write a grant for a specific activity of your choose Use your creativity and knowledge to offer our members and/or staff a unique workshop

In addition, there may also be the opportunity for the student to assist with research projects housed in The Steadward Centre.

Supervision and hands-on experience with the activity programs will comprise approximately 65-70 percent of the practicum hours and will be completed with direct supervision and on-the-job training from our program coordinators. Practicum Project related duties comprise the remaining 30-35 percent of the placement hours and will allow the student to explore activities based on their interest and skill set.

Contact information

If your are interested in arranging a practicum in this area, please contact the Adapted Fitness Program for Adults coordinator, Bobbi-Jo Atchison by email at bobbi-jo.atchison@ualberta.ca