Physical, occupational, recreational, and dance therapy programs

Although the emphasis today is on preventive medicine, at the same time efforts are being
expanded in the development of therapeutic programs for the afflicted. Physical activity has been
found to have therapeutic values in many physical therapy, occupational therapy, recreational
therapy, and dance therapy programs. Professionals are utilized to provide this type of therapy.
PHYSICAL THERAPY
Physical therapists work with people who are at- tempting to accomplish such goals as rebuilding
their muscular strength, relearning to walk, or developing other skills. Physical therapists
massage body limbs, teach exercises, and use various types of equipment to strengthen muscles.
A career in physical therapy requires a 4 year college program and an internship. Physical
therapy is frequently recommended by physicians after surgery or after an accident. Physical
therapy is a well established fieid of endeavor.
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
Occupational therapy is involved with evaluation and treatment as part of the rehabilitation
process of patients with physical and psychosocial dysfunctions. Basic principles and techniques
used by the occupational therapist are designed to accomplish such tasks as increase or maintain
muscle strength and improve coordination or joint motion. Also, they are concemed with such
things as perceptual motor and sensory retraining, activities of daily living, management of
wheelchairs, and work simplification. They are also concerned with the psychological and
sociological aspects of physical disability. They work as a part of a team of rehabilitation
specialists who attempt to provide the essential skills needed in various employment situations.
They frequently use physical activity in the therapy that they provide.
RECREATIONAL THERAPY
Therapeutic recreation is concerned with problems of physically, emotionally, and socially
disabled persons and with elderly persons. The recreational therapist works in community and
institutional settings where these individuals are located and uses the role of play and other
recreational activities in achieving appropriate goals in physical, emotional, mental, and social
development. Job opportunities for recreational therapists exist in such places as nursinghomes,

child and daycare centers, homes for the aged, city recreational programs, YMCAS and
YWCAS, hospitals, clinics, and private agencies.
DANCE THERAPY
The use of dance has proved very helpful in alleviating physical, emotional, and social problems.
As a form of therapy it has received wide acceptance as a psychotherapeutic way for physical
and emotional expression. Through dance the patient has freedom of movement and is able to
express his or her feelings and gain a sense of identity. Dance therapy is one of the fast-growing,
non-teaching professions. It is used in such places as rehabilitation centers, psychiatric centers,
geriatric programs, hospitals, and programs for the mental retardation organizations. Dance
therapy is used with all segments of the population from very young to very old persons.
Service organization programs AMERICAN RED CROSS
The American Red Cross in its various program offering provides a setting for physical
education activities, especially along institutional lines. These activities are mainly concerned
with some phase of aquatics, water safety, first aid, and hospital recreation. Through this
organization, many qualified persons in physical education help to demonstrate proper
techniques and procedures in these activities to interested persons throughout the country and
help to provide for the needs of individuals who have been hospitalized.
SETTLEMENT AND NEIGHBOROOD HOUSES
Settlement and neighborhood houses are largely confined to cities. In many communities they
are also known as community centers or community houses. They are usually organized and
administered by a religious or social welfare group in the low-income or ethnic neighborhoods of
cities. Their aim is to establish a higher standard of living by improving the spiritual, mental, and
cultural welfare Of the people. They work with all people, regardless of age, sex, and national or
racial origin. They give special attention to children. They offer varied programs of activities,
which include arts and crafts, athletics, games, singing, dancing, photography, music, dramatics,
and discussion forums. Physical education activities play an important role in many of these
centers where they have gymnasiums, playgrounds, summer camps, swimming pools, and garne
rooms. Physical activity directors and staff occupy prominent positions in many of these social

enterprises. Physical activity offers participants the opportunity for self-expression and may help
them gain a better outlook on life in the midst of poverty and poor living conditions.
ARMED FORCES ORGANIZATIONS
The Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, National Guard, and Air Force have extensive physical
activity programs that aid in keeping service personnel in good mental and physical condition.
Furthermore, the United Service Organizations (USO), an appendage tothese various branches of
the armed forces, also utilize such programs of activity. U.S. service organization consist of
agencies such as the YMCA, YWCA, Travelers' Aid, Salvation Army, Catholic Charities
Organization, Jewish Welfare Board, and Camp
Shows, Inc.
The armed forces utilize thousands of acres of land, hundreds of gymnasiums, and other
buildings, hundreds of swimming pools, and thousands of qualified persons in physical education
to organize and administer physical training programs. These programs are designed to keep
military forces in good physical and mental condition at all times, to develop skills so that
officers and recruits will have the foundational equipment to spend leisure hours in a worth while
manner, and to help build morale through a broad sports program. The armed forces have long
known that a strong United States means a healthy and physically fit United States.
YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS
The Young Men's Hebrew Association (YMHA), Young Women's Hebrew Association (YWHA),
YMCA, YWCA, service organizations serve the people of various communities where they have
been established, both the young and adult population. Religious training was the main purpose
for forming many of these organizations. However, physical activities arc now an important part
of their programs. Classes in various physical activities; athletic leagues and contests for
industries, churches, young people 's groups, and boys' and girls' groups; and camping programs
are a few of the activities organized and administered by these voluntary agencies. The cost of
financing such organizations is usually met through membership dues, community fund raising
drives, and contributions of private individuals.
These organizations are designed to improve society physically, morally, mentally, and spiritually
through their programs of physical activity. An example of the extent to which these

organizations render services in this country and throughout the world can be seen in the YMCA.
There are more than 1,800 YMCAS in the United States and 120 in Canada, and the YMCA
operates in more than seventy countries. There are more than 7.5 million members in the YMCA
and over 2 million members in the YWCA. Approxi- mately 1,500 physical educators are
employed by YMCAS in the United States.
Usually these agencies have directors for the physical activities who have received specialized
training in their field. Many organizations have complete staffs of trained physical education
personnel who aid in the organization and administration of the programs. A typical physical
activity schedule of a YMCA is shown in Table 17-2.
There are many clubs and organizations for boys and girls that provide a setting for physical
education activities. Some organizations that fall in this group are the Boy Scouts, Boys'
Brigades of America, Girl Scouts, Campfire Girls, Big Brother and Big Sister Foundations, 4-H
Clubs, Boys' Clubs of America, Giris' Clubs of America, Roy Rangers of America, Hi-Y, YTeens, Red Shield Clubs, Future Farmers of America, and Pioneer Youth of America. Some of
these organizations are international as well as national in scope. The extent of their membership
is great. For example, the Boys' Clubs of America have about 1,000 clubs, with over I million
boys as members. Girls' Clubs of America have more than 200,000 members. The Girl Scouts
have about 536,000 adult members and nearly 3 million girl members. In addition, girl scouting
in the United States is affiliated with the World Association of