Mobility & Disability
How Do You Exercise With Limited Mobility?
SonderCare Learning Center
SonderCare Learning Center
How Do You Exercise With Limited Mobility? People who are ill, disabled, or injured sometimes feel that it’s impossible to exercise because of their limited mobility. This belief is unfortunate, given that a lack of physical activity may actually exacerbate symptoms. According to a study published by Springer Link, muscle strength reduction correlates with increased limitations in mobility. Let’s explore the topic of exercising with mobility issues further!
How do you begin investigating exercise with limited mobility and what schedule is right for you? A study published by the NCBI supports using exercise to improve mobility for frail or weak people. While the research focuses specifically on walking and functional activities, it argues that any kind of movement will benefit a person.
In fact, people who are unable to stand for long periods may comfortably perform the exercises in their SonderCare lift chair or the chair position of the Aura catalog of hospital beds. SonderCare is a company that creates and produces specialized furniture for the elderly and disabled and have been doing it for more than 20 years however you should always consult with a physician before starting exercise or using medical products.
According to the American Heart Association, adults should aim for 150 minutes of moderate activity a week. The AHA recommends that people with a sedentary lifestyle start slowly, reaffirming that every type of movement counts towards exercise.
People who haven’t been exercising should speak to their healthcare practitioner before starting. In only a limited number of cases, the doctor may prescribe bed rest instead. In that case, SonderCare’s range of memory foam mattresses can provide the support a body may need to recover.
Helping someone with a physical disability live a healthy, safer, and more comfortable life can be a rewarding experience. Here are a few ways to help your loved ones.
People with limited mobility should include these three types of exercise in their routines:
By building up their amount of exercise slowly, people with limitations are more likely to make it a habit. The path to avoid is overdoing things the first few times, causing excessive pain and stiffness the following day.
Aches and pain can make it challenging to maintain enthusiasm. Instead, experts recommend committing to short sessions and building up gradually. Should a person feel chest pain, dizziness, nausea, clammy hands, extreme shortness of breath, or lightheadedness, they should stop.
The following simple flexibility exercises take minutes a day. Unless otherwise stated, a person should repeat each exercise five times.
This exercise corrects a rounded posture.
The starting posture is a straight back with dropped shoulders and arms extended to the sides. Lengthen the back while pushing the chest forward. Hold for five seconds and release.
The starting posture is seated in a chair, feet flat on the floor, and arms crossed, reaching for the shoulders. Maintaining an upright position, turn the body as far to the right as possible. Hold for a few seconds and then twist to the left.
This exercise gets the blood pumping and improves flexibility. Start with feet flat on the floor and sit upright, holding the chair’s arms for support as needed.
Keeping the knees bent, lift first the right and then the left leg. The action is similar to marching but without the pressure on the joints. One may vary the pace.
An ankle stretch can help prevent blood clots.
In a sitting position, straighten the right leg, keep the back straight, and then lift it off the floor as far as comfortably possible. In alternation, flex the foot and point the toes to keep the ankle in good shape. Repeat with the left leg and ankle.
Arm raises build strength in the shoulders.
Sit up straight with arms resting on the chair’s arms, palms facing down. Keeping elbows in the same position, raise the arms out to the side and up as high as is comfortable.
Hold for a few seconds, then return to the starting position.
Sit up straight, drop the shoulders, and look straight ahead. Slowly, turn your head to the right as far as comfortable. Hold for five seconds, then return to center and repeat on the other side.
Being confined to a chair or bed makes it harder to remain active. With a little effort, however, it’s possible to exercise despite limited mobility.
Swimming is a great way to get a comprehensive workout. Exercising in the water can help you move more easily while also providing a very mild exercise. Use free weights such as your groceries or a tension band for strength and flexibility exercises. Focus on your grip and practice movements in your chair.
To drop weight, you must expend more calories than you ingest from meals and drinks on a routine basis. It can be accomplished by a mix of calorie reduction and increased physical activity. However, if your illness makes it difficult for you to move around, diets will be your only option for losing weight.
The following exercises are great for low impact exercise for limited mobility persons: biking, swimming, elliptical, interval training, dancing and tennis.
Start Exploring Mobility & Disability With SonderCare
Are you recently discharged from hospital, experiencing mobility issues, or in need of palliative or senior care? Enjoy a smoother recovery and get the luxury you deserve by choosing our home hospital products. Contact us today to discuss home hospital beds, mattresses, stand assist chairs and other accessories to make your home hospice perfect for a truly comfortable experience.
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