Wheelchair exercises can help increase your strength, flexibility and mobility, according to Disabled World. Most any exercise that can be done in a chair, can be done in a wheelchair. Remember to lock the wheels of your chair prior to starting any exercise to prevent sliding and potential injury. Not all knee exercises may be suitable for your individual condition. Consult with your doctor prior to starting any new exercise program.
Muscle Tightening
Muscle tightening can strengthen your knee's surrounding muscles. Tightening your buttock muscles, known as gluteal muscles, will provide your knee with greater stability. Sit upright in your wheelchair after locking the wheels. Tighten your right buttock muscle. Hold the contraction for six seconds. Release the tension. Relax for five seconds. Repeat this exercise four times. Do the exercise again using your left buttock muscles. As you become stronger, tighten both buttock muscles at the same time. Another muscle tightening exercise involves your thigh muscles. Tighten your right thigh muscle while sitting upright. Hold this contraction for six seconds. Release the tension. Repeat this exercise three times. Do the exercise again using your left thigh muscle.
Leg Forwards
Strengthen your quadriceps by doing a seated leg raise. Sit back in your wheelchair so the chair supports your back. Place your feet firmly on the floor, according to the National Institute on Aging. Roll up a towel and place it underneath your thigh near the chair's edge. The towel provides support. Slowly inhale. Slowly exhale while lifting your right leg out in front of you. Straighten your leg as much as possible. Do not lock your knee. Point your toes upward, toward the ceiling. Hold this stretch for two seconds. Slowly lower your leg back to the original position while inhaling. Rest for five seconds. Repeat this exercise 10 times. Do the exercise again with your left leg.
Gas Peddler
Quadriceps support and stabilize your knee joint. Strengthen your quadriceps, or thigh muscles, by doing an exercise imitating using a gas peddle. Sit upright in your wheelchair. Lock the wheels of your chair to prevent sliding. Lift your right foot while extending your leg forward. Lift you right foot until it is six inches from the floor. Slowly tighten your knee cap in a movement simulating pushing on your car's gas peddle. Put your right hand onto your thigh to feel the muscle contraction. Hold this tightening for four seconds. Release the tension. Return your leg to the original position. Repeat this exercise four times. Do the exercise again with your left leg.
Hip Strengthening
Strengthening your hip muscles can support your knee. Sit upright in your wheelchair. Lean to your right side and sit on your right hip. Tighten your stomach, or abdominal, muscles. Hold this contraction for four seconds. Release the tension. Return your body to the original position. Rest for 10 seconds. Repeat this exercise four times. Do the exercise again using your left hip.
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