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and Health
Getting regular physical activity becomes more challenging as we age, and it can be even more difficult if you have limited mobility. But there are still options available if you’re looking to stay active while managing a physical disability. Below are some tips and tricks for exercising with limited mobility and information on staying healthy even if you can’t go outside and exercise.
Tips for Physical Activity for Those with Limited Mobility:
- Aerobic Exercise: Low-impact aerobic activities such as swimming, using an exercise bike or an elliptical, and stretching can help you improve your strength, balance, and endurance. Make sure to talk to your doctor before starting any exercise routine.
- Strengthening Exercises: Weight-bearing and other exercises that involve gradually increasing resistance can help build or preserve muscle mass and maintain joint function. These can be safely done in a seated, standing, or lying position with or without weights.
- Stretching: Stretching exercises can help maintain flexibility, increase range of motion, and promote better balance. These can be done with or without special equipment or with the help of a trainer.
Health Benefits of Regular Exercise:
Exercising regularly, even if you have limited mobility, can have a number of health benefits. It can improve mood, help with pain management, reduce the risk of falls, increase energy levels, improve sleep quality, and even reduce the risk of certain diseases.
Adaptive Equipment:
For those with limited mobility, there are many types of adaptive exercise equipment available that can make exercising easier. Such equipment includes:
- Adaptive Resistance Machines: These machines have been designed to allow individuals to exercise at a comfortable level of resistance. They provide an adjustable level of resistance, which allows even individuals with limited motion to get a full workout.
- Adaptive Exercise Chairs: These chairs can be used to perform exercises such as seated squats and other strength-training exercises with limited impact and risk of injury.
- Stability and Balance Training Equipment: For those with limited balance and stability, there are several pieces of equipment designed to improve stability and balance. This includes balance boards, balance mats, and balance pillows.
Exercising with limited mobility can be difficult, but with a few tips and tricks and the right equipment, it can be a rewarding experience that helps improve physical, mental, and emotional health.
