Exercise is not only a useful tool to help keep excess weight at bay, it also improves cardiovascular health, keeps you healthy and strong and wards off depression. People with disabilities need to exercise just as much as people without a disability. For example, quadriplegics need exercise to help alleviate shoulder pain. Exercise may help keep unnecessary ailments, such as skin sores, away as well.
Start Slowly
As recommended with everyone, it is important to start a new fitness program slowly. This will help prevent injuries as well as help build your stamina and energy levels for longer workouts. For those who live a sedentary lifestyle, start off by spending five or 10 minutes on light exercise. Move about with your wheelchair, do some stretches or spend a few minutes squeezing a stress ball. As your fitness level improves, gradually increase the time and intensity level of the activity to 30 minutes.
Exercise Daily
For optimal health benefits, the U.S. Surgeon General recommends that those with a disability should exercise daily. Daily exercise will help you if you suffer from chronic pain, and it will improve muscle strength. Exercise also boosts your mood, helps with swelling and pain associated with arthritis and helps reduce the risk of diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, coronary heart disease and colon cancer. The intensity level of daily exercise doesn't need to be vigorous. Moderately intense exercises done every day will provide the same health benefits as short, vigorous exercise.
Exercise Resources
Many companies manufacture specially made exercise equipment that accommodates the exercise needs of disabled persons. These exercise machines may help increase range of motion, endurance and muscle tone, as well as decrease pain, swelling and dependence on pain medicine. A wide variety of exercise equipment is available from which to choose, depending on the disability or the physical capabilities/limitations of the person. A wide variety of exercise videos, books, DVDs and websites aimed toward exercises for disabled persons are also available.
Seek Assistance
To determine the exercise program that best suits your health needs and physical limitations/capabilities, speak to your doctor. Consider working with a personal trainer who specializes in helping persons with disabilities or other health conditions. When researching personal trainers, the National Center on Physical Activity and Disability recommends seeking a trainer with a resume that contains information on education, certifications, training and experience, as well as references that you may contact.
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