Physical activity can help improve cardiovascular fitness, strength, balance and mood while offering social outlets and increasing self-esteem ndis provider Melbourne.
Regular physical activity can help persons living with disabilities (PLWD) meet their basic human rights and achieve positive health results. This report conforms with the 2019 UK Chief Medical Officers’ physical activity guidelines for disabled children and adults.
Strengthening
While people with disabilities tend to have higher rates of chronic illnesses such as type 2 diabetes and heart issues, physical activity can help lower their risks by improving overall health. Physical activity also boosts mood while combatting issues that affect them such as stress.
The 2020 WHO guidelines recommend that people living with disabilities (PLWD) engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity aerobic physical activity or 300 minutes of vigorous intensity aerobic physical activity per week, in addition to muscle-strengthening activities twice each week. For these guidelines to be realized, global policies and recommendations must include actions which empower PLWD while challenging and preventing ableism.
Flexibility
People with disabilities often struggle to access enough physical activity due to various barriers such as limited accessibility and social support, which makes getting the physical activity necessary difficult. Furthermore, those living with disabilities tend to be more at risk for certain medical conditions like obesity and type 2 diabetes than other individuals.
Exercise to increase flexibility may help to ward off some health conditions. Even simple moves such as waving your arms may help your flexibility. In addition to strengthening muscles, flexibility exercises may also increase mobility and lower risks of falls. Cardiovascular exercise such as running or swimming are also key for overall well-being; such activities include jogging.
Balance
Exercise into their lives offers similar health benefits as doing the same for the general population, though moderate exercise will give similar results.
Studies on the effects of balance exercises for people with disabilities revealed positive impacts on quality of life and reduced depression (12). One easy balance exercise would be standing before a counter or wall, then marching slowly in place while holding onto whatever surface you’re standing on.
Endurance
Exercise for increasing endurance include cardiorespiratory activities such as walking or cycling and strength training.
Aerobic exercise such as dancing or swimming can be excellent ways for those living with disabilities to build endurance. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), adults should participate in at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity every week as well as two or more strengthening and balance activities each week, and gradually increasing workout length over time with adequate recovery periods between workouts.
Coordination
Maintaining regular physical activity is vital in improving balance and coordination for disabled individuals as it reduces the risk of falls that could cause serious injuries.
Recommended Physical Activities for People with Disability (PLWD) Include at Least 150 Minutes of Moderate to Vigorous Intensity Aerobic Exercise per week in addition to two or more muscle strengthening activities – however this recommendation may not always apply or may need modification depending on each PLWD’s unique circumstances.
Most national and international disability surveillance systems do not include measures of physical activity in their reports, leaving many PLWD unaware of accessible exercise spaces (e.g. walking paths). To uphold their human right to engage in physical activity is of great importance.
Self-esteem
Exercise can be an invaluable way for those living with disabilities to boost their self-esteem. No strenuous workout is needed – regular activity will have its own benefits!
They reported higher life satisfaction as well as greater understanding about their condition.
Helping an individual with disability to exercise requires finding activities they enjoy and offering variety. That way, they’re more likely to stay with it and reap all its health benefits.
Sunil Jeans