Why Exercising With Limited Mobility is Advantageous

Is Mobility Issues Limit Your Usual Level of Physical Activity

Exercising regularly is crucial to maintaining a healthy body and mind. However, if you have mobility issues due to an injury, handicap, or chronic health condition, it can be difficult or even dangerous to maintain your usual level of physical activity.

Exercising With Limited Mobility is Advantageous

People with mobility impairments often avoid physical activity because they fear falling and getting hurt. Unfortunately, a sedentary lifestyle poses significant health problems, including an increased risk of heart disease, obesity, and depression.

While you may need assistance from a wheelchair, walker, or rollator from Millercare to get around, that doesn’t imply you can’t do so. This article explains why exercise is crucial for those with mobility issues, how to get ready for it safely, and how to maximize your workouts without getting hurt.

What are the Benefits of Regular Physical Activity?

For many reasons, physical activity is crucial. Exercising raises your heart rate, causes the body to produce natural painkillers called endorphins, and even increases your lifetime. On top of all that, exercising regularly aids in weight management improves the quality of sleep, and lessens the likelihood of muscle wasting away.

Even if you’re already in good health, working out can make you feel better and give you greater control over your life. You’re less likely to injure yourself in a slip and fall when you exercise regularly since your muscles will be stronger, and your flexibility will be better.

Irrespective of your current fitness level, you should incorporate the following exercises into your routine. In addition to strengthening your arms, you can also improve your flexibility by performing a range of motion exercises.

This includes bending at the knees, stretching your arms, and moving your neck from side to side. It is important to consult your doctor before starting any exercise program.Why Exercising With Limited Mobility is Advantageous 2

  • Aerobic exercise. When you engage in aerobic activity, your heart rate increases; these actions increase your heart rate and lung capacity. Regular cardiovascular exercise is achieved through cycling, water aerobics, and walking.
  • Strength training exercises. Strength training routines aid muscle growth. If you work out your muscles regularly, you can improve your balance and reduce the likelihood of falling. Lifting weights, exercising with resistance bands, and using one’s body weight are all examples of popular forms of strength training (like pushups).
  • Flexibility exercises. Regular flexibility exercises can help you move more freely, feel healthier, and live longer. These sorts of activities can help keep muscles from wasting away, which is especially helpful for persons who have mobility issues.

A physical therapist or doctor can help you choose the best workouts for your situation, regardless of the cause of your mobility problems.

Preventing Injury While Working Out

Stop exercising immediately if you develop any of the following: pain, discomfort, nausea, dizziness, lightheadedness, chest pain, irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, or clammy hands. A superb method to prevent damage is to pay attention to your body.

If you have an injury, rest that area of your body. Those who have sustained injuries to their upper bodies should focus on strengthening their lower bodies and vice versa. Once a wound has healed, you can resume your workouts, but you should ease back into them by utilizing lesser weights and less resistance.

Do some light stretching and warmups first. Gentle stretching and light movement for a few minutes will warm you up. After your workout, spend a few additional minutes doing some mild activity and stretching to cool off. Yoga also strengthens your core body and improves your flexibility.

Take in lots of fluids. When you’re well-hydrated, your body can function at its peak. In addition, put on things that will allow you to move freely, such as comfortable shoes and loose-fitting apparel.

Some exercises that are appropriate for people with limited mobility include shoulder rolls, arm swings, and range of motion exercises. These are easy to perform and can help loosen stiff muscles. You can also perform yoga exercises, which can help to relax your body.

Wrap-Up

Cardiovascular exercises can also help you maintain a healthy body. These exercises increase your heart rate, and they burn calories. Cardio exercises also improve your breath. This helps to increase your metabolism and reduce your risk of heart disease.

If you have an injury, you may want to avoid cardiovascular exercise until you have fully healed. Yoga is also a great workout for people with limited mobility. In addition to relaxing the body, yoga can also improve your overall mood.

If you can’t do yoga, you can try Pilates, which involves breathing exercises that increase your flexibility. You can also do exercises in a wheelchair. A video from Jefferson Health includes a variety of exercises that can be done from a seated position. It includes shoulder rolls, stretching, and arm swings.

You can also find many exercise videos for people with limited mobility on YouTube. You can find a variety of different workouts from seated aerobics to swimming. In addition, you can find pool-therapy programs at many health clubs.

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio
Photo by RODNAE Productions