Ways to Exercise With a Disability

There are many ways to exercise with a disability, whether you're in a wheelchair or have limited mobility. Regular exercise can improve your strength, balance, mobility, and can reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases.

It can improve self-esteem and mood. Although it can seem daunting at first exercise is a great way of staying healthy and feeling good.

1. Aerobics

Aerobics is a great exercise option because it will pump your heart and help you lose body fat. It also improves your overall health, strength and shape.

You can do aerobic exercise a variety of ways, including dancing, running, and swimming. Be sure to warm-up and cool down before and after your aerobic exercise.

Low-intensity aerobic exercise would be 60 to 70% of your maximum heart rate. This could include brisk walking, or a dance-inspired group workout class. Michele Olson, PhD., CSCS is senior clinical professor of sports science at Huntingdon College, Montgomery, Alabama.

Moderate-intensity aerobic workouts elevate your heart rate to between 70 and 80 percent of your maximum, like spinning or jogging stairs, and high-intensity workouts raise it up to 90 percent of your max, like a fast-paced run.

2. Swimming

Swimming is a great way for people with disability organisation brisbane to get some exercise. It is good for their mental health and can help them to overcome symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Water provides resistance to many key muscle groups, enabling them to strengthen without the added strain of other types of physical exercise like running or aerobics. It can also reduce pain for those with arthritis, multiple sclerosis or other illnesses that cause chronic pain.

People with disabilities can also benefit from the water's natural buoyancy, which can allow them to move more freely. This can help increase their independence as well as their confidence. This is especially beneficial for children with disabilities.

3. Water Aerobics

Water aerobics is a low impact exercise that is easy on the joints, making it an ideal choice for people with arthritis and other mobility issues. It's also great for those who are overweight and want to lose weight without putting too much stress on their bodies.

Besides being a great way to burn calories, water aerobics also strengthens muscles and reduces joint pain. It improves cardiovascular health, and lowers the risk of developing coronary heart disease.

Swimming is a great way to exercise for many types of disabilities such as spina bifida and spinal cord injury, muscular dysfunction, and fibromyalgia. It is a great way to get exercise and can help build confidence in people with disability support melbourne.

4. Water Running

Aqua jogging, also known as water running, is a non-weight bearing exercise that increases your heart rate without causing damage to your joints or muscles. It's an excellent exercise for older people and those who have arthritis or are recovering from injuries.

Water also reduces swelling and increases your range of motion, which can help with joint pain, muscle soreness and mobility. It can also help you build your core strength and stability.

It's no wonder that many people suffering from injury or pain find themselves running underwater. Water running therapy is a great option for runners with plantar fasciitis, spine injuries, or any other symptoms that prevent them from running as often as they would like.

5. Water T'ai Cha

Water t'ai-chi, a gentle martial art that has been used for thousands of years, can be a great way relieve stress, improve physical fitness, and reduce pain. It's also a safe and accessible form of exercise for people with disabilities.

T'ai chi is based on the concept that life force energy, or chi, flows throughout the body. Through flowing movements, Ai Chi cultivates the flow of chi, which can increase energy and reduce stress.

Ai Chi is performed standing in shoulder depth water, using breathing techniques and slowly performing slow movements that strengthen the arms, legs and torso. Studies have shown that Tai Chi can be an effective way to ease symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders, including arthritis and multiple sclerosis.