Healthy Athletes
The 2022 Special Olympics USA Games' Healthy Athlete Experience is presented by Orlando Health and supported by Zappos.
Located at the State Farm Field House at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, the athlete-only Experience includes the Special Olympics Healthy Athletes® program, made possible by the Golisano Foundation, and seven (7) health screening stations for athletes, as well as elevated services, such as queuing by Qmatic, special guest appearances and the opportunity for each athlete to receive their choice of one of seven custom USA Games shoes, provided by supporting partner, Zappos.
As a leader in inclusive healthcare, Orlando Health has donated thousands of man hours and hundreds of medical volunteers to make sure athletes have an unprecedented experience while they are at the Games.
The Special Olympics Healthy Athletes® program, made possible by the Golisano Foundation, offers health services and information to athletes in dire need. Overall, more than 1.7 million free health examinations have been conducted in more than 130 countries. In the process, Special Olympics has become the largest global public health organization dedicated to serving people with intellectual disabilities.
 | Fit FeetFit Feet was developed through Special Olympics’ collaboration with the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine. Many Special Olympics athletes suffer from foot and ankle pain or deformities that impair their performance and athletes are not always fitted with the best shoes and socks for their particular sport. Through Fit Feet, Podiatrists work with athletes to evaluate problems of the feet, ankles and lower extremity biomechanics. Importance and ImpactFit Feet screenings have found that a large percentage of Special Olympics athletes in the U.S. have untreated foot conditions.
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 | FUNfitnessFUNfitness is the physical therapy discipline that addresses the ongoing health needs of our athletes. FUNfitness provides the opportunity to be screened for flexibility of hamstring, calf, shoulder rotator and hip flexor muscles; functional strength of the abdominal and lower extremity muscles; and balance. During these screenings, health professionals work with athletes and coaches to improve optimal function in sports training and competition, prevention of or reduced risk for injury and recommending exercises and other helpful strategies. FUNfitness is the comprehensive physical therapy component of the Special Olympics Healthy Athletes initiative. FUNfitness is designed to assess and improve the flexibility, functional strength and balance of individuals with intellectual disabilities. During these screenings, physical therapists, related professionals and students offer expert guidance and exercise recommendations to prevent and reduce the risk of injury, and to improve the athletes’ optimal function in sports training and competition. Importance and ImpactAt FUNfitness screenings, we learned that a large percentage of Special Olympics athletes in the U.S. have the following health related concerns:
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 | Health PromotionPeople with intellectual disabilities have higher prevalence of obesity, diabetes and chronic disease. Health Promotion empowers and motivates athletes to make healthy lifestyle choices that will improve their long-term health by using interactive educational games and literature. Special Olympics athletes are informed of their height-weight body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, and bone mineral density as part of the screening. Importance and ImpactAt Health Promotion events we learned that a large percentage of Special Olympics athletes have limited knowledge of proper health practices and many suffer from potentially serious health issues.
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 | Healthy Hearing
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 | Special Smiles®Special Smiles is the dental health discipline of Special Olympics Healthy Athletes® that provides athletes and individuals with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to take charge of their oral health. Special Smiles provides comprehensive oral health care information, offers non-invasive dental screenings and instructions on correct brushing and flossing techniques to Special Olympics athletes. This also includes issuing preventative supplies, like toothpaste, toothbrushes and fluoride varnish. Importance and ImpactSpecial Smiles screenings have found that a large percentage of Special Olympics athletes in the U.S. are unaware of the condition of their oral health.
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 | Strong MindsStrong Minds is an interactive learning activity focused on developing adaptive coping skills. Competition provides a natural opportunity to develop active strategies for maintaining emotional wellness under stress, such as thinking positive thoughts, releasing stress and connecting with others. Athletes try a few different active coping strategies as they move through the stations. Before exiting, athletes identify the strategies they like best and volunteers provide them with visual reminders to use these tools in competition and in daily life. Importance and ImpactStrong Minds events found that a large percentage of Special Olympics athletes in the U.S. face significant stresses on a daily basis, but have access to only a few adaptive coping strategies.
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 | Opening Eyes®
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