Rehabilitation Through Physical Activity and Sport: A Public Health Perspective to Reduce Ableism
A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Exercise and Health-Related Quality of Life".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 June 2026 | Viewed by 118
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
From the lens of public health, ableism refers to discrimination or prejudice against individuals with disabilities, often manifesting in attitudes, policies, and physical environments that highlight non-disabled individuals. In the context of physical activity, exercise, and sport, ableism creates barriers that limit access, participation, and recognition of athletes with disabilities.
Nevertheless, physical activity (PA) provides numerous physical, mental, and social benefits. For individuals with disabilities, these activities can enhance mobility, improve cardiovascular health, reduce mental health challenges, and foster community connections. However, systemic ableism often restricts these benefits by creating inequitable opportunities and environments (i.e., priority parking, escalators and moving walkways). Public health professionals have the opportunity to remove and/or eliminate systemic barriers found in ableist communities, increasing inclusive participation in physical activity and sport and the inherent benefits obtained from such activities.
This issue focuses on how PA can be beneficial in rehabilitation science and the role that public health practitioners can play in reducing systemic ableism and promoting healthy rehabilitation that may achieve greater public health outcomes.
Prof. Dr. Timothy K. Behrens
Guest Editor
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Keywords
- physical activity
- exercise
- sport
- adapted physical education
- disability
- rehabilitation
- therapeutic recreation
- community health
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