Photo: Two young women sitting together in a sailing boat; Copyright: Messe Düsseldorf/Andreas Wiese

Sports and Recreation – Inclusive Sports at REHACARE

Diversity and Inclusion in Sports for People with Disabilities

Whether it's inclusive sailing, wheelchair basketball, or dancing – REHACARE has long been a home to the diversity of inclusive sports! As the world's largest trade fair for rehabilitation and care, REHACARE dedicates an entire hall to providing space and expertise to explore a wide variety of sports directly on- site. Visitors can receive guidance from representatives of numerous clubs or from professionals of companies that manufacture sports aids and recreational equipment.

Rehabilitation sport plays a central role in promoting health while simultaneously supporting social participation and self- determination through hobby sports activities. REHACARE not only offers an extensive range of sports opportunities but also fosters integration through adaptive sports tailored to the needs of participants.

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Photo: A man and a woman playing wheelchair basketball in the sports centre at REHACARE 2023; Copyright: Messe Düsseldorf/Andreas Wiese

Innovative Sports Aids: Enhanced Mobility and Quality of Life

Sports aids play a crucial role in making sports and recreational activities accessible to people with disabilities. These innovative products enable individuals with disabilities to actively participate in sports and push beyond their personal limits. Custom- made sports wheelchairs and advanced prosthetic technologies not only enhance agility but also improve safety and comfort during physical activities. Movement therapy devices specifically support rehabilitation by promoting flexibility and strength building.

By utilizing modern sports aids, people with disabilities experience an expansion of their athletic possibilities and a significant boost in quality of life. These aids help overcome barriers, enabling individuals to participate in society with greater autonomy. Participation in sports offers not only physical benefits, such as improved fitness and health, but also fosters social integration and strengthens self- confidence.

REHACARE provides a platform to explore inclusive sports that are tailored to the individual needs of participants. From sports wheelchairs for wheelchair basketball to movement therapy devices for targeted muscle development, the variety of offerings supports a diverse range of recreational activities and promotes accessible mobility. Adaptive sport is more than just physical exercise; it fosters social inclusion and strengthens the sense of community.

Inclusive Sports to Try Out in the Sports Hall

Experience a wide range of sports activities at REHACARE, ready for you to try out firsthand. These offerings allow visitors to discover new recreational and para sports and actively participate:

Para Athletics: Explore various disciplines of athletics, such as shot put and running. These activities offer a fantastic opportunity to build strength and endurance while staying active.
Sports Shooting: Test your precision and concentration with laser rifles and pistols. This discipline is both challenging and exciting for all participants.
Electric Wheelchair Sports: Dive into the world of Power Chair Hockey, where you maneuver the hockey ball into the goal with skill and speed using an electric wheelchair. This activity combines speed, technique, and teamwork.
Para Rowing: Try indoor rowing on a rowing machine and learn the proper rowing technique. Participate in competitions and set new distance records – an activity that promotes strength and endurance.
Foot Tennis: Play foot tennis with fellow recreational athletes by kicking a football over the net. This exciting combination of football and net play offers a fun way to stay active and make new friends.
Bowling: Use the bowling ramp to experience bowling while seated in a wheelchair. This accessible activity is open to people with various physical challenges and offers a communal experience.
Dance and Music: Discover how movements can be transformed into sounds with the MotionComposer. Create beautiful melodies and choreographies, and explore the connection between dance, music, and body movement.
Shuffleboard and Boccia: Join in popular games like shuffleboard and boccia, which invite participation and competition. These games enhance dexterity, precision, and teamwork.
Exploration on Walking Bikes: Move freely around the fair on walking bikes, provided by LaufRad Ilting. These accessibility aids offer a flexible and easy way to explore the diversity of REHACARE.
Running on Prostheses: Experience running on sports prostheses from a Paralympic athlete with APT prosthetics. This technology empowers people with leg amputations to pursue their athletic ambitions and achieve their personal goals.

These diverse recreational sports offerings at REHACARE 2024 invite you to discover new activities, improve your skills, and strengthen your sense of community. Visit our sports center and experience the sports activities up close!

Foto: Zwei Personen spielen Blindenfußball im Soccer-Ei auf der REHACARE; Copyright: Messe Düsseldorf/ctillmann

football

Experience football in all its facets! The Soccer Egg attracts visitors with exciting matches in blind football, walking football, classic 1:1 or sets a new record in LED wall shooting.

Photo: Para skier at the BRSNW Sports Centre at REHACARE; Copyright: Messe Düsseldorf/ctillmann

Para snow sports

Experience alpine skiing on our mobile ski slope and try out a descent on mono or bi-skis.

Photo: Woman doing archery in the sports centre at REHACARE; Copyright: Messe Düsseldorf/Andreas Wiese

Para archery

Test your aim with a bow and arrow.

Inclusive sailing

Get to know inclusive sailing and try out what it feels like to sit in a sailing boat. The right knotting technique is also required.

Inclusive height experience

Experience the hall from above during the inclusive height experience - a unique experience!

Wheelchair tennis

Make the first serve and try out wheelchair tennis with Rollitennis e.V.

Golf

Swing a golf club at Power Base Tec. Supported by wheelchairs that allow you to stand upright, you can practise putting or the big tee shot.

Photo: Close-up of a foot from behind that is about to kick a football during the speed test in the BRSNW Sports Centre at REHACARE; Copyright: Messe Düsseldorf/ctillmann

Football speed check

The football speed check and a reaction game will challenge your reflexes!

Photo: Several people on the wheelchair course in the BRSNW sports centre at REHACARE; Copyright: Messe Düsseldorf/ctillmann

KiJu wheelchair course

Learn how to drive, turn and turn around in a wheelchair and collect your wheelchair driving licence after successfully completing the course!

Photo: Person in the Frame Runner from Wolturnus at REHACARE; Copyright: beta-web GmbH

Frame Running

Frame Runners are tricycles with an upper body support and no pedals. They enable running experiences for anyone with limited balance or movement disorders. Frame running is a separate discipline of para athletics.

Photo: Valentin Baus plays table tennis in the BRSNW sports centre at REHACARE; Copyright: Messe Düsseldorf/ctillmann

Para table tennis

Fast and exciting rallies on the table - that's what characterises para table tennis.

Photo: Several people with and without disabilities playing inclusive gaming in the BRSNW Sports Centre at REHACARE 2022; Copyright: Messe Düsseldorf/ctillmann

eSport

Gaming for everyone: with inclusive gaming, you can play together with special operating aids. Feel like Super Mario on the live Mario Kart track!

Para Badminton

Exciting rallies in singles, doubles or as an Integra team.

Wheelchair basketball

Shooting baskets while seated - the role model sport for inclusion.

Photo: Wobbly canoe in the BRSNW sports centre at REHACARE; Copyright: beta-web GmbH

Para canoe

In the wobbly canoe, your balance is required to get a feel for the inclusive water sport of para canoeing.

Variety of Sports Opportunities at REHACARE 2024

Discover the wide range of sports activities you can experience at REHACARE. Watch the video below to see for yourself how these activities promote inclusion and the joy of sports.

Exhibitors in the Adaptive Sports Sector

The Sports Center is one of the main hubs at REHACARE, presented by the North Rhine- Westphalia Disabled and Rehabilitation Sports Association (BRSNW), where the diversity of sports takes center stage. Here, visitors will find a wide selection of sports aids and information on recreational and sports activities within clubs. Explore our trending topics and highlights to gain new ideas and inspiration. Get an overview of the following product categories:

Photo: Two men, each sitting on a rowing machine.

Therapy and Training:

– Exercise therapy
– Equipment for strength- training
– Gymnastics equipment and accessories

Photo: A visitor to REHACARE is in conversation with an exhibitor at the trade fair about leisure and sports activities; Copyright: Messe Düsseldorf/Andreas Wiese

Recreation and Sports:

- Leisure facilities
- Swimming aids
- Sport equipments, winter sports

Good reasons for REHACARE

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FAQs about your visit to the fair

Do you have questions about REHACARE and are looking for answers? Then take a look at our FAQs.

Questions? Please contact us!

Interesting Insights into the Topic of Sports and Recreation

Photo: Two teenage girls sitting in an inclusive sailing boat at Rehacare; Copyright: Messe Düsseldorf / Andreas Wiese

Sport for people with disabilities: active on land and on the water

Many people engage in sport in their free time. Some want to promote their own health, others to achieve a specific goal. For some people use sport to clear their heads, while others simply enjoy it. Sports activities also serve as meeting places for social contacts and shared experiences.

Click here for the article about soirts for people with disabilities

Photo: Elke Paatz with long blonde hair looking to the left; Copyright: private

Elke Paatz - Thats how she rolls

Sailing is a matter of the heart for Elke Paatz. She has already convinced many people at REHACARE 2022 that the sport can also be practised inclusively - and the next presentation is already planned. Which body part she would like for her telepresence robot Robbi and how she rolls otherwise, she tells us on REHACARE.com.

Click here for the interview with Elke Paatz