Get Moving: Exercising with Limited Mobility
Over 53 million American adults live with some type of disability. However, one in eight live with the most common form of disability which is limited mobility. This is where a person experiences severe difficulty with climbing stairs or walking. If your mobility is severely restricted, exercising may be something you have come to think of as impossible. But exercise can be performed by anyone, including individuals with limited mobility.
Anyone can benefit from exercise
People who experience problems with their joints, issues with their weight, or a serious injury or illness can enjoy the benefits of carrying out regular physical activity. In fact along with the physical benefits, exercise can also help depression, reduce stress and anxiety, boost energy, and improve your sex life and quality of sleep.
Exercise improves cognitive function
Research has shown that there is a significant link between the body and mind when it comes to preventing memory loss. People who get regular exercise reduce their risk of experiencing a drop in their mental function in their later life. This also includes a reduced risk of developing Alzheimer’s or dementia.
You need to get your body moving to help keep your body and brain healthy. But while the challenges caused by restricted mobility may be unavoidable, you should still be able to find an enjoyable and rewarding way to be physically active.
Flexibility exercises
Stretching exercises like yoga are an ideal way to help prevent injury, improve your range of motion and reduce pain and stiffness. Even with very limited mobility in your legs, you can still enjoy the benefits gained from stretches and flexibility exercises. These can significantly help delay or even prevent further muscle atrophy.
Cardiovascular exercises
These exercises will increase your strength and endurance while raising your heart rate. Cycling on an exercise bike, walking, playing tennis or even dancing are great cardiovascular exercises. If your mobility is severely limited then how about swimming and water aerobics? The water will support your body while reducing the risk of any joint or muscle discomfort. It can also feel wonderfully relaxing too.
Strength training exercises
Strength training exercises use resistance such as weights to help you build muscle while also increasing your bone mass. Strength training is also important in helping to improve your balance, crucial in helping to prevent falls. If you have restricted use of your legs, then instead focus on developing your upper body strength. However, if you have issues with your upper body, then focus more on strength training your abs and legs.
Regular exercise may not feel like a priority when your mobility is restricted. However, instead of focusing on your physical limitations, concentrate on finding rewarding fitness activities that you will enjoy. It may feel a challenge to start with, but it will get easier the more you do it and you will feel the physical and emotional benefits in no time.
