altA NEW scheme using Paralympic sport designed to help United States soldiers injured during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan has been launched.

The US Paralympics Military Programme has formed a partnership with Army Warrior Transition Units (WTU) across the country to help establish fitness and recreation programmes for injured soldiers.
 
It focuses on getting the soldiers back into a healthy, active lifestyle with a number of activities being offered multiple days per week at each installation. 
 
Activities can include basketball, swimming, sitting volleyball, spinning, archery, walking/running and strength and conditioning.
 
So far, more than 40,000 US troops have been injured in Iraq and nearly 2,500 in Afghanistan.
 
It is estimated that up to 31,000 will be left permanently disabled by their injuries.
 
The US Paralympics Military Programme is already a success and 16 soldiers injured in the wars represented their country at the Beijing Paralympics earlier this year.
 
Roger Neppl, the US Paralympics director of military programmes, said: "Establishing fitness and recreation programmes at Warrior Transition Units is a critical part of what we're doing to help serve injured military personnel.
 
"It is vitally important that these men and women have access to programmes right in their own communities so they can be physically active on a regular and ongoing basis."

 

The activities are conducted by Army squad leaders who have been trained by US Paralympics staff and coaches.

 

Captain Jonathan H. Colledge, who runs the programme at at Fort Lewis in Washington, said: "These programmes are great opportunities for soldiers who cannot participate in the usually Army standard PT (physical training), which consists of traditional sit ups, push ups, and running.

 

"These sports will instill the competitive, warrior spirit and increase the level of fitness for soldiers who are unable to participate in the regular Army PT programmes."