Updated on October 22, 2024
When you think of fitness and exercise, you may picture a crowded gym, a group of joggers or hikers, with sweaty bodies from lifting weights, running over a mile, or walking uphill. However, fitness is for everyone including people with disabilities.
Exercise routines for individuals with disabilities may look slightly different, but it has the same benefits and goal; to get stronger, be healthier, and feel good.
The Importance of Fitness for People with Disabilities
Daily and regular exercises are very essential to maintaining mental and physical health when mobility is limited.
Some key benefits of staying fit for people with disabilities are:
- Improved Physical Health & Strength
An improvement in balance, cardiovascular health, muscle strength, and flexibility can be observed with regular exercises and fitness routines. These are vital benefits for people with disabilities experiencing reduced mobility or muscle weakness.
- Mental Health Boost
According to a 2018 study by the CDC, “an estimated 17.4 million (32.9%) adults with disabilities experienced frequent mental distress, defined as 14 or more reported mentally unhealthy days in the past 30 days.”
By increasing the level of endorphins (feel-good hormone), regular exercise boosts mental health by reducing anxiety, stress, and depression, which are common health issues faced by individuals with disabilities.
- Independence
With regular exercise, people with disability can enhance and maintain their independence by reducing reliance on others and improving their abilities to perform day-to-day tasks.
- Preventing Secondary Conditions
Disabilities may lead to secondary health issues like pressure sores, obesity, joint pain, etc. Staying active and fit helps prevent these conditions from developing or worsening.
Challenges and Misconceptions about Fitness for people with disabilities
- The “Exercise isn’t Safe for Me” Fear
The key to staying safe while engaging in regular exercise as a person with a disability is to consider the limitations of your condition and then find safe and appropriate exercise routines that are beneficial. Before you begin your fitness journey, engage the services and guidance of a physical therapist to find safe and condition-appropriate routines.
- The Limited Accessibility Centres
Many people with disabilities are usually creative with their routines and equipment as public fitness centres have limited accessible types of equipment. Campaigns are slowly raising awareness about the need for accessible fitness features and inclusivity for people with disabilities at fitness centres, at home, and outdoors.
- Filling The Existing Knowledge Gap
Locating resources and guidance to find and start suitable fitness routines for people with disabilities may be difficult, although adaptive techniques are becoming more popular due to online fitness education.
What Does Adaptive Fitness Look Like?
Adaptive fitness simply means physical activities modified to meet the specific abilities of individuals with temporary and permanent disabilities.
There’s no “one-size-fits-all” approach because each person’s body is different, and their needs vary based on their disability, fitness goals and current level.
Here’s a look at some of the key categories of adaptive fitness and how they cater to various needs:
- Strength Training Routines
Strength training is essential for improving muscle tone and endurance, which help with balance, posture, and independence in completing daily activities. For people with disabilities, strength training might involve:
- Resistance Bands
- Seated Weights
- Water-Based Exercises
- Cardio Training Routines
To strengthen the heart and lungs, and help with weight management, cardiovascular fitness routines are to be done. Adaptive cardio options for people with disabilities include:
- Handcycles
- Adaptive Rowing
- Chair Aerobics
- Flexibility and Balance Routines
Improved flexibility and balance prevent injury and maintain mobility which are essential for people with disabilities. Some popular exercise routines are:
- Adaptive Yoga
- Tai Chi
- Stretching Routines
- Sports for People with Disabilities
Do not be confined to the gym in the name of fitness. Many individuals with disabilities enjoy a sense of community, accomplishment and other physical benefits by playing adaptive sports such as:
- Wheelchair Sports
- Para Swimming
- Track and Field
- Adaptive Skiing and Snowboarding
- Modern Day Technology – Fitness Apps
Fitness is now accessible to people with disabilities thanks to modern technology. Fitness applications designed to cater to users with various mobility levels are now available in mobile app stores. These applications may offer guided workouts, adaptive exercise plans, and motivational tips, making it easier for users to stay active from home. Some popular fitness applications are:
- Adaptive Yoga Apps
- Online Communities
Tips To Get Started for People with Disabilities
- Consult a Health or Fitness Professional
It is important to seek professional opinion and guidance from physical therapists or healthcare providers before you begin your fitness journey. Their input will help create safe and effective exercise routines based on your abilities and limits.
- Set Realistic Fitness Goals
Whether your fitness goal is to improve flexibility, build strength or simply move around more, set achievable goals by starting small. Trust in the compound effect of consistency.
- Pay Attention To Your Body
The goal isn’t to push through pain, instead, pay attention to your body during and after each exercise, and take breaks or modify your routines if it doesn’t feel right.
- Discover Activities You Enjoy
Suitable exercise refers to routines that you enjoy when you participate in them. These routines could be adaptive sports, yoga, or water-based exercise, as long as they make you feel good and motivated.
Conclusion
Fitness and exercise routines are not just for people without disabilities, they benefit everyone. While adaptive fitness may differ slightly from traditional gym and fitness routines, they have the same benefits. It has been established that physical activity promotes better health, enhances independence, and boosts mental well-being. With the right approach, tools, and support, people with disabilities can enjoy an active, healthy lifestyle like anyone else.
Looking for reliable and trustworthy care services?
At Centre Disability Support, we offer tailored support services for individuals with disabilities throughout Australia. We offer housing options in Logan, Ipswich and Brisbane areas, where we provide independent supported living or assist individuals in finding suitable options for individualised living.
Additionally, we provide day-to-day support for individuals with mental health issues, complex behaviour and other types of disabilities. We also have support coordinators available to assist with planning, navigating NDIS plans and offering casework support.
Whether you’re seeking support for yourself, or a loved one, or simply wish to learn more about our services, we’re here to help.
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