The Odessa City Council is actively enhancing the rehabilitation system for defenders of the state by integrating elements of adaptive sports. Recently, a meeting was held at the city hall focused on preventing and correcting stress-related disorders among military personnel and veterans through wellness activities and esports.
Professionals from various medical institutions participated in the event, including rehabilitation specialists, physiotherapists, sports doctors, neurologists, psychologists, psychotherapists, as well as representatives from the city's Department of Physical Culture.
Vasily Rybak, head of the rehabilitation department, shared insights on the physical, mental, and cognitive conditions that can be improved using esports and virtual reality techniques.
Sports activity and regular training positively influence not only motor functions but also mental health. Specifically, brain stimulation enhances cognitive functions, emotional regulation, sleep quality, willpower, and self-discipline.
The initiative aims to develop a comprehensive program for the prevention and treatment of stress disorders, focusing on social adaptation. International methodologies will be employed, including experiences from the USA, UK, Belgium, and Switzerland, as well as a combination of physical and virtual activities in rehabilitation programs.
It is proposed to create working groups based in medical institutions providing rehabilitation services to implement esports. All facilities will receive unified methodological recommendations and will be able to incorporate esports into individual rehabilitation programs tailored to each patient's personal characteristics.
Expected outcomes of integrating esports into the rehabilitation departments of city medical institutions include improved physical conditions of participants, reduced stress and anxiety levels, and the formation of communities for social support through collaborative engagement in esports and other group activities.
Veterans who have undergone rehabilitation in Odessa's medical facilities also attended the meeting, sharing their positive experiences of significant health improvements through adaptive sports. Furthermore, the use of virtual reality systems for people with disabilities was demonstrated.
