| When confined to a wheelchair, it is important that | | | | muscle mass also contributes to a faster metabolism, |
| regular exercise be undertaken to enhance the tone | | | | meaning the wheelchair user can use these exercises |
| and strength in other limbs as well as helping to avoid | | | | also to avoid gaining weight. |
| DVT (deep vein thrombosis) and other poor health | | | | Using resistance bands means that the exercise is |
| outcomes. Here are some simple wheelchair exercises | | | | based on using the person's body weight as |
| that are appropriate for senior citizens. These | | | | resistance. It requires a lot less equipment and can be |
| exercises will help with the quality of life and are not | | | | completed almost anywhere. It also allows the user to |
| complicated. | | | | attach the bands to the wheelchair and instead of |
| There are three types of exercises-strength, | | | | working around the chair to achieve exercise results; it |
| resistance and cardio. All have their place as exercises | | | | makes the chair part of it. This can help for those who |
| for seniors in wheel chairs. | | | | may feel a bit disconnected from their chair or |
| Cardio exercise is probably one of the most difficult to | | | | resentful of its presence. |
| achieve for the less mobile as it involves increasing the | | | | One great machine if you're looking for equipment for |
| heart rate to a level that encourages the burning of fat. | | | | fitness is an arm based rowing or pedaling machine. |
| Finding a method of low impact aerobic activity can | | | | This allows circular movements of the arms, to varying |
| greatly improve the health of the wheelchair bound. | | | | levels of resistance and is all completed while seated |
| For exercises like these you want to focus on | | | | regardless of who uses it. They can be adapted to |
| activities that increase the heart rate using the arms. | | | | allow for wheelchairs and this makes them a great |
| Apart from cardio, resistance training to build muscle | | | | option for all round fitness. |
| tone and strength training to encourage the best use | | | | When planning exercises for seniors, it is very |
| of these muscles is vital to the health and well being of | | | | important that they are designed specifically for the |
| anyone in wheelchairs. If manual chairs are the norm, | | | | older body. If you have access to specialized doctors |
| then upper body strength can be important to assist in | | | | it is worth getting their opinion on the needs and |
| proper function and movement. Strength and | | | | limitations of seniors in general, and then adding in any |
| resistance training can be done together and will allow | | | | wheelchair specific considerations. |
| the user of the wheelchair to feel more in control of | | | | Exercise for seniors is traditionally gentler and slower |
| the apparatus. | | | | so don't expect to get results as quickly as you would |
| These types of exercise are best achieved using | | | | with younger people. It's also important to encourage |
| small weights and dumbbells for lifting exercises, and | | | | proper nutrition to allow for the healthiest body and |
| can be a great way to stretch and extend the muscle | | | | energy available to expend. |
| after being used in one position for movement. Higher | | | | |