BLINN PTA STUDENTS USE EXPERTISE TO CONNECT WITH SPECIAL OLYMPIC ATHLETES
It takes a FUNFitness village to groom a Special Olympic athlete, and students in Blinn College’s Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Program know how to do just that.
Twenty-four members of Blinn’s Student Physical Therapist Assistant Association (SPTAA) volunteered their time and expertise at the recent Special Olympics Texas Winter Games in Austin to ensure the athletes were in tip-top shape.
SPTAA members staffed the FUNFitness athletic village, developed in collaboration with the American Physical Therapy Association, to assess athletes’ functional needs and provide fitness education.
“It’s always a joy to watch our students interact with the athletes and apply what they’ve learned in the classroom and clinical setting,” said Heather Lewis, PTA instructor and SPTAA advisor. “Running the FUNFitness events helps them hone their assessment and communication skills.”
Students conducted functional tests on more than 35 athletes, assessing strength, range of motion, balance, coordination and cardiovascular health. If a deficiency was identified, students outlined an exercise plan for the athlete and taught them to execute the exercises safely.
“It’s such a great experience to connect with the athletes on a personal level,” said first-year student Megan Brandt, vice president of SPTAA. “The work we do at FUNFitness translates to what we will be doing in the future. It’s great to take what we’ve learned and apply it in the field.”
Established in 1997, Blinn’s PTA program instructs students in the use of specialized equipment and personalized patient care. First-year PTA students spend most of their time in a classroom setting and in the lab, while second-year students participate in clinical rotations at area physical therapy facilities.
Students admitted to the PTA Program become members of SPTAA, where they lead and participate in a number of charitable fundraisers and activities, including the Special Olympics Texas meet and the Down Syndrome Association of the Brazos Valley Buddy Walk.
