Kinesiology & Athletics Division
Adapted Physical Education
Physical Education for Students with Physical and Developmental Disabilities
What is Adapted Physical Education?
The Foothill College Adapted Physical Education program offers students with diverse
limitations the opportunity to participate in physical activity courses, developed
to fit their specific needs and goals. Students who are disabled have the opportunity
to achieve success within the psychomotor domain through the assistance and support
of the Adapted Physical Education faculty and staff.
Communicating with each student's Physician, the Foothill College Instructor develops
an individualized exercise program based on the Physician's recommendations and the
individual goals of the student.
Who Can Enroll?
Students with diverse limitations and needs, from a person who may have an arthritic
joint to post-stroke or spinal cord injury. The Adapted Physical Education Program
serves a wide range of disabilities in an individualized and/or group format.
Conditions such as:
- Arthritis
- Brain injury
- Cerebral palsy
- Chronic conditions
- Developmentally delayed
- Hip replacement
- Knee replacement
- Multiple sclerosis
- Older adult fitness
- Parkinson's Disease
- Post polio
- Post stroke
- Rehabilitation from surgery or injury (after physical therapy)
- Spinal cord injury
What Classes Are Taught?
Adapted Physical Education courses are modified to meet the needs of the individual.
Instructors have a Master's Degree in Adapted Physical Education.
Classes include but are not limited to:
- Aquacize/Adaptive aquatics/deep water walking
- Back fitness
- Balance and rhythm
- Competitive sports
- Functional fitness
- General conditioning
- Group exercise
- Individualized exercise
- Aerobics dance
- Older adult fitness
- Postural fitness
- Recreational activities
- Resistance exercise
- Stretching and flexibility
How To Enroll?
Visit a class and talk with the Instructor. Refer to the current Schedule of Classes for class meeting times and locations. You will find Adapted Physical Education courses listed in the schedule under Physical Education - Adaptive PE.
Where are classes taught?
Classes are primarily taught at Foothill's Main Campus in Los Altos Hills. In select instances, classes may be held off-site at the Sunnyvale Senior Center and YMCA of Palo Alto.
