National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) Joins Inclusive Fitness Coalition

[Sportsmedjosh]

DALLAS, March 2, 2007 – The National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) today announced that it has joined the Inclusive Fitness Coalition (IFC), which is comprised of researchers and advocates, representatives of the fitness industry, elected and appointed officials, and others.

An estimated 50 million people in the U.S. have some type of disability. This significant portion of the population faces some of the greatest health risks associated with sedentary lifestyles. The IFC’s mission is to facilitate an expanded coordination of organizations and individuals to address the complexity of personal, social, cultural, political, and economic factors that influence – positively and negatively – the participation of people with disabilities in physical activity, fitness, sports and recreation.

“We look forward to working with the IFC and its many devoted organizations to increase access to physical activity for people with disabilities,” said NATA President Chuck Kimmel, ATC. “NATA members have a strong history in working with the Special Olympics and other adaptive sports and the needs of these special athletes to be at their physical best. This announcement comes at the start of National Athletic Training Month in March with the theme of “Quality Health Care and Wellness.”

“A daunting array of barriers can make it difficult for the disabled to get to and into facilities, find accessible equipment, and locate an affordable, professional athletic trainer who knows something about their condition,” said James Whitehead., co-chair of the IFC. “We’re very pleased to have NATA working with us to help ensure that everybody can enjoy the benefits of being physically active.”