Blue Soler Therapeutic SUP. Biomedical research project

SPORT, INCLUSION AND HEALTH

The BLUE SOLER SUP Therapeutic project is the first international biomedical research study to evaluate Stand up Paddle as a therapy for people with musculoskeletal disabilities.

The collaborating patient organisations are the Asociación Reumas-Lliga Reumatològica Catalana, the Asociación Artrogriposi Múltiple Congènita, Asociación Sjögren Espanya, Ceade- Coordinadora Espondiloartritis and the Asociación AsGlutdiece.

The aim of the project is to promote inclusive sport, creating knowledge that supports the health benefits and allows safe practice for people with a disabling disease.

The project is led by Carolina Navalón-Martínez, the first woman with a disability in Spain, SUP Race 3 km champion of Catalonia and president of the BLUE HEALTH SUP THERAPEUTIC Association, the entity that leads and coordinates the Blue Soler project.

The Blue Soler Therapeutic SUP Project is an innovative and unique proposal at national and international level, which aims to demonstrate the clinical effectiveness of the monitored practice of sport in the sea, specifically the regular practice of Stand Up Paddle (SUP), as an alternative therapy and/or concomitant to other conventional treatments to improve the quality of life, both physical, mental and emotional, of people affected by different types of pathologies and disabling diseases with musculoskeletal involvement.

WHAT IS STAND UP PADDLE (SUP)?

SUP is one of the most complete sports that exist, as it works on muscle building, resistance, balance and posture without impact. Moreover, it is practised in a natural environment, with the emotional well-being provided by the sea.

Therapeutic SUP: In recent years, there have been successful therapeutic surfing programmes at a national and international level that have demonstrated the vast physical and mental improvement for the participants. However, there is currently no protocolised clinical study that evaluates this modality (SUP) as the practice of this sport is less standardised, as it is still a minority sport.

RELEVANCE OF THE PROJECT

Adults with complex chronic disabling illness have much less access to adapted physical activity programmes, as these programmes are often designed for the paediatric age group.

Despite the existence of conventional treatments, there is still a lack of safe and inclusive spaces where adults with complex disabling pathology can access programmes for the development of physical activity in the sea that are fully adapted to their needs, limitations and abilities, especially guided activities in the marine environment.

SUP Terapéutico Blue Soler also has the unconditional support of the patient users who have participated in the first pilot action of the project, and who have helped with their testimony and experience, to the development and improvement of this proposal.

The project also has the support of the Catalan Surfing Federation, UFEC (Union of Sports Federations of Catalonia) and the International Surf Therapy Organization.

ORGANIZERS

Blue Health SUP Therapeutic Association Barcelona

The Blue_Soler SUP THERAPEUTIC project seeks to extend the practice of Stand Up Paddle (SUP) as a therapy to improve the body functionality and well-being of people with various disabilities, as well as vulnerable and unattended groups.

Blue Salt School SURF&SUP Sports Club

Founded in 2018, Blue Salt School Surf Sports Club unites sea and table sports (Surfing, SUP, SUP Yoga, Functional Training, Surf Skate) with a philosophy that includes care for the environment, healthy living, social awareness, art, and above all passion for the marine environment. Since its foundation, it has not only taught classes with specialized sports directors but has also been involved in promoting the practice among groups at risk of social exclusion or has promoted activities such as the active cleaning of plastic in the sea.

Unitat de Medicina Esportiva (Clínic Barcelona and Hospital Sant Joan de Déu de Barcelona)

The Project has the advice of the Sports Medicine Unit, Hospital Clínic – Hospital Sant Joan de Déu; a Unit with extensive experience specializing in the practice of sport, which applies a multidisciplinary methodology to be able to offer comprehensive diagnosis and treatment of various pathologies.

Catalan Surf Federation

Non-profit sports entity made up of clubs, athletes, technicians, judges, and sports associations dedicated to the practice and promotion of surfing in any of its manifestations (Shortboard, Longboard, Stand Up Paddle, Bodyboard, Skimboard, Bodysurf, Kneeboard, etc..).

COLLABORATORS

• Asociación Atrogriposis Múltiple Congénita
• Lliga Reumatològica Catalana, Comunidad de personas que conviven con enfermedades reumáticas
• Fundación Closa Seguros
• Asociación Española de Síndrome de Sjögren
• Asociación Catalana de Síndrome de Sjögren
• CEADE Coordinadora Española de Asociaciones de Espondiloartritis
• Asociación GLUT1 y enfermedades que responden a una dieta cetogénica
• INFEC Universitat de Barcelona

• ARTICLE El Mundo Deportivo: HERE

Instagram Sesion 1: HERE

Instagram Sesion 2: HERE