Pleasure, fulfilment, self-transcendence… The practice of physical activity is particularly beneficial for children with disabilities. We take stock with the Premiers de Cordée association, which has set itself the task of introducing the practice of sport to those who are furthest from it.
Focus on Matmut’s commitment: a getaway day with the association Premiers de Cordée.
Wishing to allow hospitalized children or children with disabilities to learn how to practice a physical activity, the Matmut and Mutuelle Ociane Matmut have entered into a partnership with the association Premiers de Cordéean expert in the field, as part of the Escape day which took place on June 15 at the Matmut Atlantique in Bordeaux. This commitment is fully in line with the “Born to move” program »which aims to increase accessibility to the practice of physical activity for all.
Throughout the day, the 500 children present were able to discover and practice many sporting disciplines: handball, roller-hockey, wrestling, dance, basketball, climbing, disabled sports, football… They were also able to try their hand at boxing with Elhem Mekhaled, professional boxer and collaborator of the Matmut Group, as well as in handball alongside Emma Boulesque, young handball player from HB Mérignac. A workshop to learn life-saving gestures was also offered to them.
The therapeutic benefits of sport for children with disabilities: insights from Sébastien Ruffin, general delegate of the association
Premiers de Cordée is an association created in 1999 which regularly offers free sports activities to sick and/or disabled children.
Sébastien Ruffin, what are the therapeutic benefits of sport in sick children?
Sébastien Ruffin: the benefits of physical activity in chronic disease are now widely recognized by the entire medical and scientific community. It acts in addition to drug therapies and is thus part of the care pathway in the fight against the disease. In addition to the cardio-respiratory, muscular and metabolic benefits, the sport is an essential tool in psychological supportthe development of well-being and the maintenance of motivation in the long healing process.
What sport can a disabled child practice?
SR: Everyone! It is enough to propose a practice adapted to its capacities.
What sports activities do you offer to hospitalized children?
SR: Premiers de Cordée intervenes every month in partner care structures to offer sports activities. In partnership with the sports movement (Federations, leagues, committees and clubs), these are supervised by qualified sports instructors. The idea is to introduce discipline, get children who are often bedridden moving and create social ties. The association offers more than 20 different disciplines: dance, football, boxing, tennis, karate etc. There is something for every taste ! Recently, the association has also offered a “Sport Santé” section with its Hospi Sport system. This allows individual practice adapted to your treatment program. These more regular sessions are supervised by APA teachers, hired by the association and made available to the establishment, who adapt the exercises according to the needs of the child and evaluate the impact of physical activity on the disease. .
Article written in partnership with Matmut.