GUEST COLUMNIST: Exercising tips for people with limited mobility

Exercise is defined as any bodily activity that enhances or maintains fitness, overall health and wellness.

It can contribute positively to maintaining a healthy weight, building and maintaining healthy bone density, strengthening the muscles and joint mobility, promoting physiological well-being, reducing surgical risks, strengthening the immune system and helping prevent/control conditions such as heart diseases, cardiovascular diseases, type 2 Diabetes and obesity. It also improves mental health (preventing depression).

Proper nutrition is at least as important to health as exercise. When exercising, it becomes even more important to have a good diet to ensure that the body has the correct ratio of macro-nutrients whilst providing ample micro-nutrients, in order to aid the body with the recovery process following strenuous exercise.

But exercise shouln’t limit to only those who are abled. Physical exercises is as important to the one with limited mobility as it is to the rest.

My case

Mr X (for ethical reasons, I won’t reveal my patient’s name) was born with multiple defects including curvature of the spine, a dislocated hip, and clubfeet. Furthermore, fifteen years ago he was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. He also has congestive lung disease and congestive heart failure. With all this, he could not walk more than 150 feet without getting out of breath. His legs and feet were constantly swollen. His main concern was wanting to exercise to lead a healthy lifestyle.

Thus, his treatment plan was not focused on traditional exercises as per his condition and history. This was already a major challenge. His disabilities limited him from performing some of the most common types of exercises.

First thing we did is to assess him on his daily calorie intake and physical ability. After assessment, we formulated a treatment plan

His exercise treatment plan consisted of arm or upper-body exercises, such as light hand weights and stretches. We also included swimming in his regimen. But swimming was slightly challenging for him due to stamina so we ensured his swimming took place in the presence of a lifeguard who could help when required.

Mr X had physical limitations, such as neuropathy, which is a common condition accompanied with diabetes that was keeping him from walking for extended periods of time. Nonetheless, walking was incorporated in his routine with a balanced duration and intensity according to his tolerance and increased as his tolerance level was increasing. He was also encouraged to cycle (stationary cycling) at least 3 times a week for 15 minutes.

Exercise tips for persons with a disability

• Active exhalation during an exercise session helps the body to increase its maximum lung capacity. Consciously breathing deeply during aerobic exercise helps this development of the heart and lungs.

• If you spend long hours in a wheelchair you know it can lead to uneasiness and be very uncomfortable. Keeping the body moving as much as possible in your wheelchair should be a regular part of your daily fitness program. This should be a priority no matter what your disability.

• Doing regular wheelchair exercise will help you increase your strength, flexibility, improve your mobility, strengthen your heart and lungs, and help you control your weight.

• Proper rest and recovery are also as important to health as exercise; otherwise the body exists in a permanently injured state and will not improve or adapt adequately to the exercise.

It is particularly important for you to get help from the right professionals. You may need to ask your doctor to refer you to the Rehabilitation Department. But don’t hesitate to reach out; exercise is vital and poor exercise can only exacerbate your physical limitations or, worse, disable you further.

The author is an Occupational Therapist based at Ilala Afya Centre, Dar es Salaam.