The Odessa City Council's Department of Health is actively implementing innovative approaches to the rehabilitation of military personnel, incorporating elements of adaptive sports. Recently, a meeting was held to discuss the prevention and correction of stress-related conditions in servicemen and veterans through physical activity and esports.
Medical professionals participated in the discussion, including rehabilitation specialists, physical therapists, sports doctors, neurologists, psychologists, and representatives of the Department of Physical Culture and Sports.
The head of the rehabilitation department, Vasyl Rybak, highlighted how esports and virtual reality can enhance physical, mental, and cognitive wellbeing.
Sports activities not only improve motor skills but also enhance mental abilities, such as cognitive function, emotional regulation, sleep quality, willpower, and self-discipline.
The primary goal of this initiative is to create a comprehensive program for the prevention and treatment of stress disorders and social adaptation for veterans. The plan includes adopting international practices, particularly from the USA, UK, Belgium, and Switzerland, by combining physical and virtual activities in rehabilitation programs.
It is proposed to establish working groups within rehabilitation facilities to integrate esports. All institutions will receive unified methodological recommendations to include esports in rehabilitation programs tailored to each patient's needs.
The expected outcomes of introducing esports into urban rehabilitation facilities include improved physical health of participants, reduced stress and anxiety levels, and the formation of communities for social support through teamwork in esports and other group activities.
Veterans who have undergone rehabilitation in Odessa's medical facilities also attended the meeting and shared their positive experiences regarding significant health improvements through adaptive sports. Additionally, the use of virtual reality systems for individuals with disabilities was demonstrated.
