Exercises For Disabled Persons

People with disabilities have such widely varying individual preferences and physical capacities that there is no "one size fits all" exercise routine. At the same time, it is essential to address exercise from a cross-disability perspective. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, adults across the disability spectrum tend to be more physically inactive than their non-disabled peers, despite the obvious benefits of exercise for both groups. Many causes of and solutions to this problem of physical inactivity apply to persons with highly diverse impairments.

Benefits

The National Center on Physical Activity and Disability or NCPAD insists: "Exercise is for EVERY body." Well planned, aptly chosen exercise routines can indeed help most persons with disabilities. NCPAD identifies the following benefits: improved cardiovascular and lung health; weight reduction; improved mood; increased sense of well-being; enhanced capacities to perform activities of daily living such as walking or wheeling; and protection against the development of secondary health problems.

Barriers

The University of Kansas Research and Training Center on Independent Living or UKRTCIL describes three kinds of all-too-common barriers between people with disabilities and exercise. Physical barriers are "conditions of the physical environment or area that restricts or complicates access, movement, or participation." Resource-related obstacles "include lack of money, transportation, equipment, and social support." Attitudinal barriers are created by "the perceptions and attitudes of members of society toward people with disabilities" and those that "people with disabilities have about themselves." For example, many non-disabled people think that disabled people need to stay passive, inactive and outside public spaces. In turn some people with disabilities grow disheartened and decline activities they would otherwise pursue.

Designing an Exercise Program

If you are a programming and/or fitness professional, you can do a great deal to remove the barriers between people with disabilities and exercise. Consult the in-depth information on specific conditions in the American College of Sports Medicine book "Exercise Management for Persons with Chronic Diseases and Disabilities." To achieve a "universally accessible" fitness program, the New York State Department of Health advises you: "Ask people with disabilities about their needs and expectations...Check that programming is accessible...Think about how activities can be adapted and what adaptive equipment is available." For guidance, look up your nearest independent living center in the directory on the Independent Living Research Utilization website.

Developing a Personal Fitness Plan

If you are disabled and want to become more physically fit, first talk with your doctor about your exercise interests, capabilities, and limitations. Disaboom emphasizes that "physical activity does not have to be strenuous for you to gain health benefits." It might "be anything from walking or wheeling for 30 minutes, gardening for 45 minutes, 20 minutes of basketball or 30 minutes of household chores." If you are interested in athletics, contact a group like Disabled Sports USA. Whatever route you take, read the UKRTCIL's "Exercise for People With Disabilities" for abundant practical tips on achieving your personal fitness goals.