Fractures, overuse injuries, neurological problems, car accidents, brain injuries and birth defects can all lead to weakened upper extremities, which include the hands, wrists, arms and shoulders, in children. Weak upper extremities can make sports, playing with friends and daily tasks difficult for a child. While a doctor should examine and treat injuries and conditions, there are actions you can take as a parent to help strengthen pediatric upper extremities.
Step 1
Encourage your child to use lightweight dumbbells -- 1 to 3 lbs. -- to help strengthen his upper extremities. Have your child perform triceps and biceps curls and extensions with the dumbbells. He should perform 1 set of 10 repetitions for each exercises, 2 to 3 days per week.
Step 2
Ask your child to perform body-weight exercises. Pushups, pullups, planks and situps can help your child gain or regain upper body strength. She should perform 1 set of 10 repetitions, 2 to 3 times per week.
Step 3
Suggest animal walking. Have your child walk like a crab, bear or dog. Walking on all fours can help encourage weight bearing on the arms. Have your child perform animal walking for 10 minutes at a time, 2 to 3 days per week.
Step 4
Play catch with your child. Use sports ball, a rubber ball or beach ball. Have your child catch and throw the ball as well as hit the ball back and forth with you -- much like a game of volleyball. Play catch for 10 minutes daily.
Step 5
Take your child to a pool. Swimming can help increase strength and range of motion in the upper extremities. The buoyancy of water allows your child to perform movements that may otherwise be painful on land. Water can also help ease pain. Aim to take your child swimming for two to three, 20 minute sessions per week.
Step 6
Ask your child to complete functional tasks when recovering from an illness or injury that has led to weakened upper extremities. Encourage your child to open doors, push grocery carts, write on his own, clean up his own toys and perform as many daily tasks on his own as possible.
Things You'll Need
- Light weight dumbbells
- Sports balls
References
- Northumberland Care Trust: Children's Occupational Therapy Service
- "National Academy of Sports Medicine: Essentials of Personal Fitness Training; Scott Lucett; 2009
