A group photo of a training course for ERD professional leaders

Undergraduate students (Professor Kim Dong-il, Kim Yoon-sung) of the Department of Health & Kinesiology at Incheon National University announced that they have successfully completed the health promotion exercise rehabilitation program with the Incheon Metropolitan Government General Welfare Center (Director: Hwang Sung-joo, Social Worker: Kim Ji-won) as part of the "Education Course for Disabled Exercise Rehabilitation & Disability." 

Despite the fact that the level of physical activity is lower than that of non-disabled people due to the decline in physical and motor skills, the disabled have a high incidence of chronic diseases, but there is a very lack of customized exercise programs and professional leaders for them. 

To prevent and improve these problems, 35 undergraduate students majoring in disability sports rehabilitation at Incheon National University's Department of Health & Kinesiology formed seven groups for three months from October to December this year to promote regular exercise participation and health in connection with various programs (Korean University, Youth Institute, Strong Class, Total Sports, etc.) for the disabled living in Incheon Metropolitan City.

Individual exercise programs were conducted in consideration of the characteristics, intelligence, and exercise levels of the disabled, ranging from children to the elderly, by disability type, and health-related physical strength (strength, muscle endurance, cardiopulmonary endurance, flexibility, body composition), and exercise-related physical strength (adaptiveness, equity, coordination). The program consisted of cognitive function improvement, sociality improvement, and challenging behavioral intervention.

Kim Ji-won, the deputy in charge of the program's training institution, said, "The ERD major in-depth practice program, which was conducted for three years through MOU with the Department of Health & Kinesiology at Incheon National University, has been attended by many students from professional leadership courses every year." In particular, the largest number of students participated in 2024, and it was possible to proceed in connection with all regular programs operated by the welfare center (a total of seven, including Hanul University, Youth Institute, Strong Class, and Total Sports). "Students were provided with practical opportunities to identify the characteristics of disability and age (children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly) of the developmentally disabled and to save their major areas by measuring their exercise ability, and through such professional guidance, the welfare center was able to confirm significant physical improvement, exercise ability and cognitive function improvement." 

Jeong0won, who participated in the program, said, "It was nice that the teachers were kind and informed me in detail. Even the basic exercises such as sit-ups were difficult to do in a proper posture. But they set the posture accurately and I improved because I practiced at home." Yoo O-geun said, "It was so much fun working out with the teachers! It was nice to do not only exercise but also recreation together. I waited while wondering what the teachers would do in the next session." Lee O-min said, "I just waited for the day when they came. I don't remember all the names, but they all know when I say I'm a teacher at Incheon National University. They told me to come again next time!" showing high satisfaction with the program.