For wheelchairsusers exercise is vital to health. Making time amongst the continual struggle of balancing ones life may be difficult but it is not impossible. Working out and balanced nutrition go hand in hand.
Many people are simply not naturally attracted towards physical exercise. For wheelchair users there may be a real and understandable fear of pain.People confined to a chair are all too familiar with shoulder, neck and back strain and it's associated pain.
But the benefits must be firmly borne in mind. Structured physical activity will strengthen the core muscles, improve balance and circulation, improve the quality of sleep and help with digestion.
In addition the person will feel and look better. There will also be some relief of musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, cramps and stiffness.Aerobic work strengthens the heart and lungs and in conjunction with a diet will assist weight loss. Additional benefits are a lessening of the risk of such disabilities as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and osteoporosis.
One aspect of regular exercise which cannot be over-emphasized is its importance in maintaining good emotional health. Wheelchair users (like anyone else) feel angry, depressed, frustrated and confused. Regular workouts will help to fight depression.
As one wheelchair user puts it "If you can move something you can exercise." This is not to suggest that forming new positive habits as an adult is easy.
Increasing numbers of wheelchair users are adopting exercise plans. Young people especially can see that in some instances it is possible to be in a wheelchair and have a strong, healthy body.
