​Worcester Native Pioneering Exercise Program for Children with Disabilities

From University of Hartford: Kyle Diroberto of Worcester is one of 15 physical therapy doctoral candidates at the University of Hartford who helped pioneer a unique exercise program for children with disabilities at Shriners Hospitals-Springfield in Massachusetts. The program, known as BFit is a power-based exercise program provided by Diroberto, UHart Professor of Physical Therapy Mary Gannotti, classmates, and clinicians from Shriners.

Nine-year-old Emma is one of the children they have helped. Emma often felt sad when she could not join her friends to play sports. She was in a wheelchair because of cerebral palsy, a neurological disorder that affects body movement and muscle coordination. Today, she's using a walker more and able to participate in movement exercises thanks to BFit.

Watch a video showing how University of Hartford physical therapy students are helping children like Emma.

Twice a week for 90 minutes, the physical therapy (PT) students from the University's College of Education, Nursing and Health Professions work with Emma and other BFit "athletes" on exercises and programs designed specifically for their physical needs. With the goal of helping each athlete gain strength, the PT students, including Diroberto, recommend specific sports-related activities including basketball, cycling, boxing or climbing walls, then guide them through the exercises, correcting their posture and balance while also motivating them.

Not only has Emma experienced positive physical changes, but her social skills have also improved.
"Emma loves coming here," says Beth Waters, Emma's mother. "She has made a lot of friends and it has made her want to do more things on her own."

Diroberto and the other UHart PT students continue to work on improving BFit which was developed by Gannotti; George Gorton, director of Research, Planning, and Business Development at Shriners Hospitals for Children-Springfield; and Denise Gloekler, director of Rehabilitation and the Motion Analysis Center at Shriners Hospitals for Children- Springfield. The students are creating a manual that will enable other physical therapists to replicate the program. And, with evidence that Emma is far from the only child who has had great success through BFit, Gannotti and Gorton are applying for a grant to launch BFit programs around the country.

The University of Hartford, centrally located in Connecticut, provides a distinctive educational experience across seven schools and colleges for one of the most diverse student bodies in New England. Hartford's faculty are attracted by the opportunity to challenge and support students as they pursue degrees in more than 100 programs in the arts, humanities, science, business, engineering and technology, education, and health professions. Chartered in 1957, Hartford has more than 5,000 undergraduate and, 1,600 graduate students from 48 states and 63 countries, and 75,000 alumni worldwide. Visit www.hartford.edu for more information.

Photos courtesy of University of Hartford