Department of Physiotherapy, College of Health Sciences (COHS), Gulf Medical University (GMU), proudly showcased its commitment to inclusive healthcare and community engagement as final-year Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT) and Master of Physiotherapy (MPT) students volunteered at the Special Olympics UAE Fun Fitness event. The initiative took place on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, during the Special Olympics MENA Regional Equestrian Competition – Al Ain 2025.
Guided by Fun Fitness Clinical Directors, GMU physiotherapy students provided comprehensive health and fitness screenings for Special Olympics athletes. The assessments spanned four key areas:
- Aerobic Capacity Assessment – Evaluating cardiovascular fitness and endurance.
- Flexibility Screening –Measuring joint mobility and muscle elasticity for injury prevention.
- Strength and Endurance Testing – Assessing muscular performance and functional capacity.
- Balance and Range of Motion Evaluation – Examining postural control and joint movement patterns.
Students applied advanced physiotherapy knowledge to deliver individualized recommendations and health education, bridging academic learning with practical application in an impactful community setting.
Educational Impact and Student Development:
This event offered GMU physiotherapy students a platform to:
- Gain hands-on clinical experience in real-world settings.
- Strengthen leadership, communication, and teamwork skills.
- Build confidence working with individuals with special needs.
- Embrace GMU’s values of service, inclusivity, and compassionate care.
Student Volunteers
Master of Physiotherapy (MPT) Students:
- Arezou Sheikhi (2024MPT02)
- Huda Mohamed Saddik (2024MPT03)
- Osman Zubair Khan (2024MPT04)
- Baby Kulsum (2024MPT05)
- Arooj Tanveer (2024MPT09)
- Laiba Farooq (2024MPT08)
Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT) Students:
- Abdelrahman Abdelsalam (2021PT39)
- Emaan Zahra Ijaz (2022PT01)
- Laiba Muammar (2022PT02)
- Insiya Zuzer Akolawala (2022PT27)
- Mohanad Ahmed (2022PT32)
- Mohammed Sherif (2022PT38)
- Muaz Magdi (2022PT41)
- Atrooba Ejaz (2022PT44)
The athletes left the event with actionable guidance and educational materials to support their ongoing health and fitness. The collaboration demonstrated GMU’s unwavering dedication to preparing well-rounded healthcare professionals while contributing to community well-being.
“This Special Olympics Fun Fitness event exemplifies our department’s commitment to experiential learning and community engagement. Our physiotherapy students demonstrated exceptional professionalism while providing valuable health services to these remarkable athletes. This initiative perfectly aligns with GMU’s mission of developing healthcare professionals who understand the importance of inclusive care and community service. I am incredibly proud of our students’ dedication and the positive impact they made on each athlete’s health and wellness journey. Events like these reinforce why we emphasize both clinical excellence and compassionate care in our physiotherapy programs,” said Dr. Praveen Kumar, Dean of the College of Health Sciences, GMU.
