Adaptive Sports Medicine

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xviii

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2. Adaptive Sports Medicine: History, Technology and Biomechanics

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1

      PDF

   2. History of Adaptive and Disabled Rights within Society, Thus Creating the Fertile Soil to Grow, Adaptive Sports

      • Joseph Scholz, Yin-Ting Chen

      Pages 3-19

   3. Wheelchair Sports Technology and Biomechanics

      • Rory A. Cooper, Rosemarie Cooper, Adam Susmarski

      Pages 21-34

   4. Technology and Biomechanics of Adaptive Sports Prostheses

      • Arthur Jason De Luigi

      Pages 35-47

3. Medical Considerations in Adaptive Sports Medicine

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 49-49

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   2. Review of Injury Epidemiology in Paralympic Sports

      • Lauren Rudolph, Stuart E. Willick

      Pages 51-58

   3. Medical Considerations in Adaptive Sports

      • Anthony Beutler, Patrick Carey

      Pages 59-69

   4. Emergent Care of the Adaptive Athlete

      • Ahmer Khan, Kevin Blythe, B. Elizabeth Delasobera

      Pages 71-77

   5. Surgical Considerations in the Adaptive Athlete

      • Kevin O’Malley, Tyler Kent, Evan Argintar

      Pages 79-85

   6. Rehabilitation of the Adaptive Athlete

      • Ashley Lazas Puk, Arthur Jason De Luigi

      Pages 87-90

4. Adaptive Sports

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 91-91

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   2. Adaptive Running

      • David Hryvniak, Jason Kirkbride, Christopher S. Karam

      Pages 93-102

   3. Adaptive Cycling

      • Andrew H. Gordon, Arthur Jason De Luigi

      Pages 103-111

   4. Adaptive Golf: History, Rules and Equipment Modifications, and Sport-Specific Injuries

      • Mayur J. Amin, Joseph A. Sclafani, Arthur De Luigi

      Pages 113-122

   5. Wheelchair Basketball

      • Rajat Mathur, Patrick Martone, Arthur Jason De Luigi

      Pages 123-134

   6. Wheelchair Rugby

      • David M. Irwin, Monica K. Zillen, Arthur Jason De Luigi

      Pages 135-147

   7. Power (Wheelchair) Soccer

      • Alexander M. Senk

      Pages 149-159

   8. Wheelchair Softball

      • Daniel H. Blatz, Craig Ziegler

      Pages 161-170

   9. Wheelchair Dance Sport

      • Mary Caldwell, Arthur Jason De Luigi

      Pages 171-179

This first-of-its-kind text provides a comprehensive presentation and review of the unique aspects of adaptive sports medicine and adaptive athletes, who are increasingly active and prominent, not only individually and in local leagues and organizations but also in larger settings like the Paralympics. Divided into thematic sections, part one covers the history and natural course of the care, policies and laws that have been developed over the years for persons with disabilities, as well as the biomechanics and technology of wheelchair sports and adaptive sports prostheses. The medical considerations of the adaptive athlete comprise part two, including injury epidemiology, emergent care, and surgical and rehabilitative considerations. Part three, by far the most extensive section, discusses specific wheelchair and adaptive sports, including adaptive running, cycling, water sports and throwing sports, wheelchair basketball, softball and rugby, as well as adaptive combative and extreme sports. Selected topics, including event planning, advocacy and controversies such as doping, are covered in part four. 


A comprehensive yet practical text, Adaptive Sports Medicine is a go-to resource and will be an invaluable reference for any sports medicine or primary medicine practitioner working with this unique population.

• Adaptive sport
• Adaptive sports medicine
• Disabled athlete
• Paralympian
• Sports prostheses
• Wheelchair Basketball
• Adaptive Running
• Adaptive Cycling
• Adaptive Watersports
• Ice Sled Hockey
• Weightlifting in Adaptive Sports
• Adaptive Combative Sports
• Adaptive Extreme Sports
• Adaptive Sports Event Planning

• Professor of Rehabilitation Medicine, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA

  Arthur Jason De Luigi

Arthur J. De Luigi, DO, MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital/Georgetown University Hospital, Professor of Rehabilitation Medicine, Washington, DC, USA 

Dr. De Luigi is internationally recognized as a leader in Adaptive Sports Medicine through his extensive experience with disabled athletes, holding positions as the Medical Director and Head Team Physician for the U.S. Adaptive Alpine Ski Team, Medical Director of the Walter Reed Army Medical Center Adaptive Sports Medicine Program, and coverage of Paralympic athletes at the United States Olympic Training Center. 

He is currently the Head Team Physician and Director of Sports Performance for the Washington Wizards, Medical Director for the Washington Mystics, and Team Physician for the Washington Spirit.

He has served as the Medical Director of the Army Ten Miler and Co-Medical Director of the Salt Lake Marathon. Additionally, he has served as a physician for the United States Olympic Committee, U.S. Ski and Snowboarding Association, USA Basketball, USA Boxing, US Lacrosse, University of Utah, Catholic University, Salt Lake Bees baseball team (Los Angeles Angels AAA affiliate), and the Washington Nationals.

Policies and ethics