How Exercise Can Help The Disabled
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Studies show that people with disabilities can improve their emotional and physical health with exercise!
Many times when people become disabled they no longer move around as much as they did before. Less movement means your muscles are being used less. The less you move the less movement you have and if you don't move certain muscles over a period time you can get a condition called "atrophy" which means the muscles and nerves actually shrink causing you lose the ability to move those muscles. "When I was diagnosed as disabled, I decided that I was not about to give up without a fight. I became very aware of the things I could not do and had to fight the urge to just kick back and let it happen. I decided that I would find a way to beat my disability or at the very least, find ways to improve my health both physical and mental as well as my overall physical condition. I could not do things exactly as I could before but I knew that I was not going to let my health deteriorate any faster than it had to, and I would do all I can to be healthy and improve my condition as much as possible. I learned to eat healthier and exercise within the limits of my disability and found that my mind was clearer, I hurt less, and felt better about myself." (Rev. Penelope Dean)
Studies show that people with physical and cognitive disabilities can improve their overall health with a nutritional diet which includes all the five basic food groups, and regular exercise. Of course, before starting any type of exercise program you should always consult your doctor to see which ones are right for you. Scroll down to see what physical disability and cognitive disability can be improved from regular exercise are and an excerpt from the study.
Many times when people become disabled they no longer move around as much as they did before. Less movement means your muscles are being used less. The less you move the less movement you have and if you don't move certain muscles over a period time you can get a condition called "atrophy" which means the muscles and nerves actually shrink causing you lose the ability to move those muscles. "When I was diagnosed as disabled, I decided that I was not about to give up without a fight. I became very aware of the things I could not do and had to fight the urge to just kick back and let it happen. I decided that I would find a way to beat my disability or at the very least, find ways to improve my health both physical and mental as well as my overall physical condition. I could not do things exactly as I could before but I knew that I was not going to let my health deteriorate any faster than it had to, and I would do all I can to be healthy and improve my condition as much as possible. I learned to eat healthier and exercise within the limits of my disability and found that my mind was clearer, I hurt less, and felt better about myself." (Rev. Penelope Dean)
Studies show that people with physical and cognitive disabilities can improve their overall health with a nutritional diet which includes all the five basic food groups, and regular exercise. Of course, before starting any type of exercise program you should always consult your doctor to see which ones are right for you. Scroll down to see what physical disability and cognitive disability can be improved from regular exercise are and an excerpt from the study.
List of Ways exercise helps disabled People
- Cardiorespiratory-Improves heart and lungs
- Musculoskeletal-Improves muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints
- Relieves pain associated with disability
- Relieves fatigue associated with disability
- Reduces some secondary conditions
- Improves metabolic, functional, and mental health
Excerpt from Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee Report Part G
"Two or more studies with significant findings on the identified health outcome were required for classification into strong or moderate level of evidence. Based on this classification scheme, for people with physical disabilities there was strong evidence that exercise can increase cardiorespiratory, musculoskeletal and mental health outcomes; moderate evidence to improve a variety of functional health outcomes and reduce the effects of certain types of secondary conditions (i.e., pain and fatigue associated with the primary disability); and limited evidence in improving healthy weight and metabolic health. For people with cognitive disabilities, there was strong evidence that exercise can improve musculoskeletal health, select functional health and mental health outcomes; moderate evidence for improving cardiorespiratory, musculoskeletal, and healthy weight and metabolic health; and limited evidence for reducing secondary conditions" (2014.Health.gov).
Reference: Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee Report. Part G. Section 11: Understudied Populations. Retrieved 12/28/2014. Health.gov. http://health.gov/paguidelines/report/g11_understudied.aspx#_Toc199882936
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