Supported High Intensity Fitness Training And Recreation

The Supported High Intensity Fitness Training and Recreation (SHIFT.AR) initiative, a community-focused program that expands access to high-intensity functional training and recreational opportunities for people affected by spinal cord injury (SCI) and Parkinson’s disease. Building on a research-initiated exercise program launched in March 2022, SHIFT.AR has delivered more than 100 classes and served over 60 participants to date. The project integrates clinical expertise from ACHE’s Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy schools with hands-on involvement from students to create free, accessible group exercise sessions and a broad range of associated recreational activities that address physical, social, and emotional well-being. With a $200,000, two-year grant from the Craig H. Neilsen Foundation (October 2024–October 2026),

The project will scale its services, increasing geographic reach to offer in-person group classes in Fort Smith and Central Arkansas, while also developing online exercise routines that can be accessed by up to 150 individuals. The funding enables program expansion beyond exercise to include therapeutic recreation such as art classes led by the School of Occupational Therapy, kayaking, cooking, and other activities that foster connection and purpose. A concurrent Parkinson’s Foundation Community Grant of $10,000 (June 2024–June 2025) supports a related project, Empowering the Parkinson’s Community through SHIFT.AR: Support, High-intensity Functional Training, and Recreation, ensuring that Parkinson’s-focused classes remain free and that Fort Smith’s only Parkinson’s Support Group can continue meeting and offering education about nutrition, medication, mental health, speech, and other topics. SHIFT.AR is notable for its dual emphasis on evidence-based exercise and holistic community engagement. The program’s design recognizes that meaningful health outcomes derive not only from physical activity but also from social support, therapeutic recreation, and opportunities for meaningful participation.

For students, SHIFT.AR provides salient experiential learning: they plan, implement, and adapt exercise programs for people with SCI and Parkinson’s disease, gaining practical skills in safety, exercise prescription, and community-based care delivery while witnessing the importance of social connectedness in rehabilitation. The combined grants represent a strategic investment in sustainable, community-embedded rehabilitation services. They allow ACHE to maintain free programming, broaden outreach, and formalize recreational and support components that complement physical training. As the program expands, the initiative aims to preserve its research-informed roots, continue collecting outcomes and community feedback, and serve as a replicable model for integrated fitness and recreation programs that enhance quality of life for people with neurological conditions. Under Dr. Handlery’s leadership, SHIFT.AR positions ACHE as a regional leader in inclusive, community-based rehabilitation and experiential health professions education.