Overview
There are a wide variety of physical and mental disabilities that affect people day to day.
Because of this, a diverse range of techniques and solutions exist that can make the living
standard higher for those that are affected. Assistive technology, caretakers, therapy, and
meditation are examples of these. However, there is a different form of assistance that is less
talked about, and this is physical activity. I did research regarding the effect that increasing physical fitness can do for those with disabilities, and found that there is
correlation in exercise being key in living a healthy life, especially with disabilities.
To begin, it should be said that disabilities can cause those affected to be less active,
being true for physical and mental disabilities. This can lead to problems that make the
disabilities worse, such as low bone density, decreased heart health, and low stamina.
Generally, those with disabilities are just as exposed to disease as any other person, so it is just
as crucial for them to get the right amount of physical activity.
For mental disabilities specifically, exercise can release endorphins, which helps the
body feel good, lowering the effect of disabilities like anxiety and depression. It can also help get
your mind off of something and make you more confident instead. This is key in battling mental
disabilities, and allows you to cope in a way that can push you to be healthier in the end.
Types of exercise
The benefits of exercise on physical disabilities can range from improvement of stamina
and muscle strength. This can help those with disabilities because reducing exhaustion and
fatigue is critical for working with certain health conditions. When I looked into the physical
activities that could be done that are more gentle, I found a YouTube channel that occasionally
uploads light, simple exercises that anyone can participate in. The channel is called Fun 4 The
Disabled! The videos include an instructor, who shows the exercises, and a person who has a
disability doing the exercise with them. I watched a video that includes yoga, and the exercises seem to be uncomplicated and quite peaceful. I loved that the video includes breathing techniques that promote mindfulness. My favorite part of the video was how inclusive it is, as there was even an ASL translator in the corner that would translate the instructor’s steps.
I also found that physical activities do not have to feel like exercise. Fun activities such
as gardening and video games (ex. Wii Fit or VR) can be suited for those with disabilities. Gardening is able to be done indoors and outdoors, and is great for the long-term. It is also known that gardening encourages mindfulness and is a very peaceful activity. I personally do not garden much, but when I do, I work up a sweat! To be able to get moving in such an indirect way can help those with physical and mental disabilities get active and stay active. For video games, nowadays many games include moving around to try to get people moving. Those with disabilities can enjoy so many games sitting down or standing up. To be able to get the
exercise you need everyday in a fun game is an amazing gift that many can enjoy.
I also have learned that wheeling around in a manual wheelchair also provides great
exercise. It can be said that using a manual wheelchair can burn around 120 calories in half an
hour compared to the same actions in a motorized wheelchair. This means that simply wheeling
around can count as physical activity and provide the same benefits as other activities.
There are so many more! It is amazing how there are so many forms of physical
activities there are that can suit anyone's needs. I encourage looking into them as I enjoyed
gaining more knowledge on the subject!
What I learned from my research
I have always known that getting exercise everyday is one of the best ways to stay
happy and healthy. What I didn’t know was the positive effect that fitness can have on battling
and living with disabilities. I knew that in the modern day, there are many solutions that are great
for those who are disabled, but I learned that one of the best things to do to stay healthy was
still exercise. My favorite part of the research was finding activities that were accessible and
feasible for those with disabilities. There are so many websites that offer help when choosing an
activity to do, and it is amazing how inclusive these sites are. YouTube, especially, has so many
workouts that can be done while seated and for a multitude of needs. There are many with ASL
translations as well along with captions, and there are real life examples of the exercises being
performed. I believe this is great for promoting fitness among the disabled community, and the
progress that has been made in encouraging physical activities is the best it’s ever been.
It is important to note that physical activity is something that should be done in a safe
and cautious manner, especially if someone is susceptible to injuries. I believe it is best to speak
to those who are knowledgeable in the areas of specific disabilities and physical fitness to have
the best possible outcomes!
Sources:
● https://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/sgr/disab.htm#:~:text=Benefits%20of%20Physical%20Acti
vity,-Reduces%20the%20risk&text=Can%20help%20people%20with%20chronic,and%2
0pain%20associated%20with%20arthritis.
● https://fun4thedisabled.com/fitness-with-friends-spirit-gentle-yoga/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwtsCg
BhDEARIsAE7RYh3nLl5okape3hQ-UVNisv3bhlSfg4cDUUdPyQXV3CAPCiCBnQ53w6w
aAlcdEALw_wcB
● https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111028115352.htm#:~:text=Summary%3
A,action%20in%20a%20motorized%20wheelchair.
● https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/in-depth/depression-and-exe
rcise/art-20046495#:~:text=Regular%20exercise%20may%20help%20ease,your%20sen
se%20of%20well%2Dbeing
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