If you’re disabled and looking to improve your health, there are plenty of physical exercises you can try. Some are modified versions of traditional fitness activities while others cater specifically to a particular disability.
Exercise can be a great way to increase energy, reduce stress and promote mental health and wellbeing. But finding the right type of activity that fits into your schedule is key for reaping these rewards.
Chair Pushups
Chair pushups are an excellent way to build upper body strength, especially for those who have difficulty reaching traditional pushup positions. Furthermore, chair pushups can be beneficial to people with injuries or disabilities that restrict movement.
The best part? You can do them from the comfort of your own home!
Begin by tucking your tailbone and drawing your navel in toward your spine. Hold this position for four counts, then breathe deeply to expand both chest and belly.
Next, hinge at your hips and lower your chest to your thighs while reaching both arms out behind you to touch the floor in front of your shins. Quickly reverse this movement to return to your starting position.
Walking
Walking is an effective, low-impact form of exercise that can improve cardiovascular fitness, reduce body fat and enhance muscle power and endurance. Furthermore, it may reduce the risk for heart disease, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis and certain cancers.
Walking can be done indoors, on sidewalks, a school track or a nature trail. It’s an excellent social activity that offers variety; plus it’s simple to alter your distance or pace in order to prevent boredom.
Studies have demonstrated that regular physical exercise can make disabled people happier. It may aid them with depression and anxiety, reduce anger and hostility, and build relationships within their community and make friends.
Swimming
Swimming is one of the world’s most beloved sports, and it can be an especially beneficial physical exercise for people with disabilities. This is because water provides a gentle resistance that allows people to engage their muscles without feeling the strain or pain associated with other exercise activities.
Swimming not only builds basic physical abilities and fitness, but it can also assist with injury rehabilitation. Furthermore, swimming offers a great social outlet for individuals with disabilities as they’ll often get to interact with other swimmers and take part in competitions.
Cycling
Cycling is an ideal form of exercise, particularly for those with disability support brisbane that restrict movement. Additionally, cycling provides excellent cardiovascular exercise which may reduce the risk of heart disease and other health issues.
Cycling can often be more accessible to disabled individuals than walking and it serves as a form of transportation that saves time for those using wheelchairs. Furthermore, cycling serves as an enjoyable social activity that brings together diverse members of the community.
This paper draws on qualitative interviews with seven disabled cyclists to examine their experiences of cycling and the benefits they have gained from it. It identifies four subthemes related to reported health and wellbeing impacts from cycling:
Yoga
Yoga is an exercise type that has proven to be beneficial for those with disability support worker melbourne. It combines breathing and meditation in order to build both body and mind strength.
Yoga can be especially beneficial to individuals with disabilities, as it increases their flexibility and coordination while aiding in the development of better concentration.
Yoga not only improves breathing and reduces stress, but it also strengthens muscles throughout the body for a strong and toned physique.