Joely Ramos

Activities Portfolio #4

LEI 4724

Activity Title: Cone Knock Over

Source: Therapeutic Games. (n.d.). Coping Skills Games and Activities.
Retrieved February 21, 2016, from
http://www.gamesforgroups.com/groupgames.html
Equipment: several foam balls, 6-10 small plastic cones or 6-10 two liter
bottles filled with about 2 inches of water and that have caps secured on, a
cleared out and vast play area, pre-lined floor (such as that in the gym) or
masking tape to make the lines
Activity Description: This activity is a light to moderate physical activity
focused mostly on hand-eye coordination and muscle use. The great thing
about physical activities used for therapy is that it doesnt just help
physically, it also encourages mental and social health, especially when done
with others. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(2015), physical activity can help strengthen your bones and muscles,
improve your mental health and mood by reducing risk of depression and
helping you sleep better, and increase your chances of living longer. So,
although this activity is physical, it goes beyond that in its benefits as a
therapeutic method. In the activity Cone Knock Over, first a setup has to
be arranged. 1st, divide the group into teams and assign them one side of the
play area. 2nd, give each team an equal amount of cones and balls. 3rd, if in
a gym with a basketball court, use the key area (rectangle area under the
basket used for free throws that is marked off by lines) and have each team
place their cones somewhere inside their own key. If there is no key, set up a
similar area using smaller cones or other markers such as lines you make
with masking tape. The point of the game is for the teams to knock down OR
hit the cones of their opposing team. Whenever a cone is hit, the team that
hit it can take the cone from the opposing team and add it to their side
within the key or marked boundary for the cones on their side. Each team
must protect their cones from being hit; but no one can enter their key
area unless they are trying to retrieve a ball that has rolled in it. They would
be protecting their cones by blocking balls from rolling into their side. The
winning team is the first team to collect all the cones or to have the most
cones on their side after a set time is called. Lastly, you would explain the
instructions and let the fun begin!
Leadership Considerations: A therapeutic recreation (TR) specialist is
adequate for leading this activity. The rules for this game can be a little
confusing when explaining it verbally, so leaders should consider playing a
practice round or showing a visual example with the help of volunteers
before actually starting the game. Leaders should also think of the amount of
participants they want to have when facilitating this activity, which would

Joely Ramos

Activities Portfolio #4

LEI 4724

depend on which population is involved. For example, with a population of

people with disabilities that have muscular issues, less is better so that the
activity doesnt become overwhelming. Based on Dattilo (2012), too much
challenge and too little skill may produce anxiety.
Adaptions: Participants with Cerebral Palsy (CP): Cerebral means that
[the disability] has to do with the brain, and palsy refers to muscle problems
or weakness (Porter, 2015). The cause(s) of CP is not yet set in stone, but it
is a result of brain damage that effects the areas which guide and control
movement and coordination. However, this condition does not limit
participants from participating in this activity, or any physical activity.
Adaptations such as inserting breaks into extended activities may be helpful
(Dattilo, 2012). This game may last longer with this population because of
their muscle stiffness and slower mobility, so adapting it with breaks is
recommended. Also, CTRS should provide appropriate means for cooling
and warming, such as water spray bottles or blankets because muscle
stiffness can sometimes be lessened by warming the muscle area that is
stiff; also because they will be moving more than usual, cooling methods
come in handy (Dattilo, 2012). Stern (2016), suggests that people with CP
are enrolled in programs specifically designed for others with like
impairment so that they can integrate with others who have also overcome
their obstacles to participate.
Participants with Muscular Dystrophy (MD): According to TeensHealth
(n.d.), MD is genetic and a lack of protein causes the muscles weaken and
not be able to maintain healthy. Because muscular dystrophy is progressive
and not static, observing participants frequently and making adaptations as
skills deteriorate is essential (Dattilo, 2012). Just like adaptations for
Cerebral Palsy, breaks should be highly implemented within any physical
activities done for participants with MD. Also, people with MD can benefit
from social support since they often encounter people who have
misconceptions about them and their disability (Dattilo, 2012). The CTRS is
encouraged to cheer on the teams and provide positive feedback to support
the participants socially. According to a YouTube video by the Neurogen Brain
and Spine Institute (2015), therapists can adapt activities by shifting weight
on participants so they can move their limbs easier. They provided the idea
of having participants kick the balls instead of bending over to roll the balls
because this shifts weight more evenly allowing participants to move more
freely
Adaptations References

Joely Ramos

Activities Portfolio #4

LEI 4724

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2015). Physical Activity and
Health. The Benefits of Physical Activity. Retrieved February 21, 2016,
from http://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/pa-health/
Dattilo, J. (2012). Inclusive Leisure Service (3rd e.d.). State College, PA:
Venture Publishing.
Neurogen Brain and Spine Institute. (2015). Muscular Dystrophy: Treatment
by a Physical Therapist. Retrieved February 21, 2016, from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9z4jkn4Wv3w
Porter, H. R., Ph.D., CTRS (Ed.). (2015). Recreational therapy for specific
diagnoses and conditions. Enumclaw, WA: Idyll Arbor.
Stern, K. A. (2016). Treatment for Cerebral Palsy. Retrieved February 21,
2016, from http://www.cerebralpalsy.org/about-cerebralpalsy/treatment/therapy/recreation-therapy
TeensHealth. (n.d.). Muscular Dystrophy. Retrieved February 21, 2016, from
http://kidshealth.org/en/teens/muscular-dystrophy.html