Welcome to the LimbPower Frequently Asked Questions section of the website. We hope that you can find what you are looking for here. If you can not find what you are looking for please contact our National Sports Development Officer Andy Brittles at andy@limbpower.com.
Keeping active at any age is important and you don’t need to specifically play sport. Raising your heart rate by walking or any physical exercise will help and over a period of time you will feel the benefits. So ditch the car and walk, do the vacuuming or weed the garden, any activity is better than none. Even just standing up has some health benefits.
Before you embark on any activity speak to your GP or Rehabilitation Doctor, prosthetist or physiotherapist who will give you advice on what you can start to do. Most Limb Centres have an exercise sheets for in-patients and out-patients, so do ask for one. You could start gentle walking or stretching. Click here to find some ideas on exercises but always consult your Doctor before starting any new activity. Why not download the OttoBock Fitness App from iTunes. To find out more read this blog.
There are many sports you can play as an amputee, how you choose to play may depend on your level of amputation and comfort. Some below knee amputees continue to play against non-disbled people, while other take part in a wheelchair or play on crutches. Many sports have an adapted version, so there really is something for everyone, click here for information on getting started or click here to find out about how you find a sport or club.
Young or old, it is never too late to take up an activity. You can benefit both physically and emotionally. To find a local sport or activity click here. If you don’t feel confident about starting a new activity on your own why not take a friend or attend one of the LimbPower’s events, which will give you an introduction to a number or sports and activities, so keep an eye out on the events page for up and coming events.
Yes, you can, there are many people who play sport one handed or in a wheelchair or in an adapted version of the sport. Speak to a sports coach in your chosen sport on how you might adapt the activity to suit your ability. Come along to the LimbPower Games and talk to one of the coaches or physiotherapists at the event who can help you learn how to adapt your game. Have a look at our getting started section for more information,
The question is, what sport do you want to play? There are some sports that require people to wear a limb but there are many sports that don’t, you could try many of the wheelchair sports, such as wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby, wheelchair racing, or you could try sitting volleyball this is a really popular sport among amputees, going to the gym is a great option for keeping fit and healthy. Contact andy@limbpower for further help and advice.
It is harder for an above knee amputee to join in mainstream sport, however there are many sports than you can participate in and excel at, such as golf, Nordic Walking, swimming, sitting volleyball, shooting and archery. You can go to the Gym and join in fitness activities such as Pilates and yoga. Lots of above knee amputees cycle. The activity or equipment might need adapting, so speak with a sports coach and tell them what you would like to do and what you can do. Alternatively come to one of the LimbPower events and have a go at the many sports on offer and find one which suits you. Details are on our events page.
The list of what you can do is endless from table tennis to rock climbing and everything in between. How you participate in the sport might be different to how a non-disabled person takes part, but if you are willing to give it a go and you are willing to make adaptations you can try many activities. Activities involving running will be more difficult for an above knee amputee but there are other options such as wheelchair racing, sitting volleyball and wheelchair basketball. Your prosthetic is not the barrier to taking part in a sport just a negative attitude. Read some of our case studies to find out how other people have got involved or Click here to find a sport or activity.
No, this is a common misconception. You can take part in some form of activity with your everyday limb if you have one and some activities without a limb such as sitting volleyball, swimming and wheelchair sports. The main thing is that your limb is comfortable and the socket is a good fit. As your skill level improves then you might benefit from having a more sport specific leg, when you get to this level speak with your rehabilitation consultant or prosthetist, explain what you need and ask what is available through the NHS. Different limb centres have different prescription criteria, so what is available to you will vary from limb centre to limb centre.
Go to our find a sport or club page here or contact andy@limbpower.com
If you have talent, commitment and drive maybe. The main thing is to enjoy sport and if you show promise then a coach, talent scout or member of LimbPower will ensure you speak to the right people. Organisations like the British Paralympic Association and some National Governing Bodies of Sport run talent identification days so keep an eye on our events page to get more information.
Your coach, club or national governing body of sport will direct you to an opportunity to become classified. The classification process is different for different sports and you will only be classified for the sport you are taking part in. There are many opportunities to take part in sport without being classified, but for some competitions you will need to be classified. You do not have to have a classification to attend any of the LimbPower events.
You can keep an eye open for coaching opportunities on the County Sport Partnerships websites, Sports Coach UK and the individual National Governing Body of Sport’s websites or ask your gymnasium or sports club. Look at our case studies here to find out how other amputees have become coaches or fitness instructors. LimbPower are also looking to support people to become coaches or mentors.
Volunteers are the life blood of sport in this country to become a LimbPower volunteer visit our volunteering pages here.
Sport and physical activity is important to everyone, of all ages and abilities, directing someone to an activity that is appropriate and safe can be difficult. Ask your patient what activities they did before their limb impairment and ask them what they would like to do now. Go to our how to get into sport page to find out how you find an opportunity locally to you or email andy@limbpower.com
First and foremost, you are a coach, you do not need to know everything there is about each impairment, though a little understanding could be useful. Please have a look at our resources Pupils with and Amputation inclusive card and our Amputee Impairment Specific Coaching Fact sheet produced in conjunction with Sports Coach UK, this resource gives you some basic tips. If you need to know more, then speak to your NGB or Sports Coach UK and ask what resources they have. LimbPower and our partners are continually producing more supporting resources so check out our resource page or email andy@limbpower.com
