Wheelchair sports offer many individuals, regardless of physical capability, opportunities to compete in land-based sports that were previously only for able-bodied athletes. Power wheelchair racing tips run the gamut from properly preparing...
Getting a good cardiovascular workout is beneficial for all. However, some people have limited or no mobility in their legs. Mobility limitations can be due to spinal injuries, severe arthritis, neuropathy, a stroke, a paralytic condition or...
From humble beginnings at one hospital in England to an International Paralympic competition with over 132 countries participating, the Paralympics has established itself as an athletic competition for athletes with physical, visual and mental...
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines "paraplegic" as a person with paralysis of the body, involving the legs. Paraplegics include those who have lived with paraplegia their entire lives, as well as people who have become paralyzed later in life....
Over the past few decades, there have been significant advancements in assistive devices for individuals that have a disability. The modern day sport wheelchair is one device that has been improved extensively allowing for individuals with a lower...
Children with special needs require exercise just as much as other children, and exercise is particularly good for eliminating stress and emotional problems in these kids, according to the book "Steps to Independence." Physical and...
Cardio exercise is essential for maintaining good health, especially when you do not have the use of your legs. Without them, you become even more susceptible to risks such as weight gain, weakening of your muscles and reduced heart functioning....
Arthritis is caused by the loss of cartilage between the joints, which causes pain, swelling and stiffness. People with arthritis should engage in regular exercise, even if they are confined to a wheelchair. According to the University of Iowa...
Exercise that improves your cardiorespiratory system involves rhythmic contractions of large muscle groups, which elevates you heart rate for an extended period. Cardiorespiratory improvements are achieved through repetitive activities like...
Wheelchairs came into being as a mode of transportation to help a person with limited or no mobility reach their destination. King Phillip II of Spain is one of the first persons depicted in a wheelchair, one that required others to move it on...
Those with disabilities require adaptations to traditional exercises to promote physical fitness. Being disabled is not synonymous with weight gain and a lack of physical activity. Conversely, calorie-burning exercises for the disabled can promote...
Requiring a wheelchair does not mean you are confined to a sedentary, inactive lifestyle. Accessibility requirements and the growth of organizations dedicated to advancing a zest for life in all individuals regardless of injury or disability have...
Although losing weight can be a difficult task for nearly everyone, achieving your goal can be more challenging when you use a wheelchair. But if you can modify your eating habits and manage small amounts of exercise, achieving weight loss from...
Following a daily exercise program is essential if you are wheelchair bound. Wheelchair exercises will help strengthen your heart and lungs, improve mobility, flexibility and increase muscle strength. There are a variety of exercises that you can...
The physical inactivity associated with being wheelchair-bound causes many people to gain weight. Although beginning a weight loss program may seem challenging given your physical limitations, many activities boost your heart rate and promote...
People confined to wheelchairs frequently gain weight because they engage in relatively little physical activity. Being overweight and inactive increases your risk for diabetes, heart disease and other chronic diseases. A combination of dietary...
A spinal cord injury may result in partial or complete impairment to the structures at and below the site of the injury. According to the MayoClinic.com, not all spinal cord injuries lead to in paralysis; some injured individuals may be able to...
Paraplegics have special concerns with excess weight in the lower extremities, including difficult transfers and mobility issues as well as skin problems such as pressure ulcers. There is no way to lose weight in one area, such as the legs, but...
In the past, physical activity and exercise for handicapped persons was viewed as no more than a part of medical rehabilitation. That attitude is changing, according to the President's Council on Physical Fitness. Exercise should be a part of a...
Wheelchair ergometers, like their bicycle counterparts, are used by people who normally navigate the world in wheelchairs to perform workouts without the need to leave the home or the gym. Both non-athletes with spinal injuries or other sources of...
People who have either a mental or physical disability can benefit from regular exercise. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that every adult get 30 minutes of aerobic exercise, five days a week. Whether by working out...
If you have experienced an injury to your leg, it is very important that you rest. However, it is also important that you remain active. There are a variety of different exercises that you can do when dealing with an injury to your lower body....
Physical activities for people in wheelchairs abound and include highly organized, competitive or recreational sports leagues. Take stock of your interests and fitness goals to guide you in choosing from myriad options to stay fit and healthy.
Wheelchair athletics have been traced back to the years following World War II when disabled war veterans began organizing amateur sports leagues. Today, wheelchair athletes have an opportunity to compete with other disabled athletes in...
Sports, which provide so many opportunities for personal achievement, team success, physical fitness and lessons in sportsmanship and teamwork, can be enjoyed by athletes of all abilities and disabilities. With the continued improvement of...
When you cannot walk due to injury or disability, losing weight can seem like a challenge. Instead of focusing on your limitations, consider all of the activities you can do just by using all of the strength in your upper body. Also realize that...
Chair-bound fitness presents challenges, but exercising while chair-bound conveys enormous benefits. Accomplish strength training, aerobic exercise and flexibility improvement through stretching and yoga while seated at a desk or living room...
While many Americans brace themselves against frosty December weather, Miami experiences an average high of 78 degrees F during the last month of the year, with a comfortable average low of 62. Opportunities for outdoor fun are plentiful for the...
Handcyclers have many options when choosing their cycles and venues. Learn how to handcycle in this sports video.
