Best exercise for someone in a wheelchair?
My Mom has been diagnosed with probable MS and has difficulty walking. She can stand a bit and walk with much effort, but not very far. Can anyone recommend exercises or equipment that would be appropriate for someone that is mostly in a chair? She’s gained some weight in her midsection and so exercising her arms, although maybe helpful for aerobic benefit and some calorie burn, isn’t the full solution. Lifting her legs is difficult, so getting into a recumbant bike would also be too hard. Thanks for any suggestions!
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Wouldn’t she be better off getting a script from her Neurologist to have some sessions with a Physical Therapist? The Therapist will design safe and personalized exercises for your mom as well as teaching her how and when to increase either duration or weights or both.
How about finding a swimming pool with disabled access. They probably have classes for disabled people.
She’s tried a few PT’s but unfortunately not found them effective enough, quickly enough. That’s why I’m suggesting some sort of equipment she might be able to use at home, on her own.
The swimming pool is a great suggestion, but unfortunately she can’t swim and is afraid of getting in the water. Plus, according to her, the nearest pool with disabled access is too far, too inconvenient.
There’s a fatigue/motivation issue here too.
I think a good PT would be the best solution but another fun idea is a Wii game. I bought one for my husband who has limited mobility and it has helped him to strengthen the muscles that give him problems. The games can be played standing or sitting or reclining. And, it does not matter what your skill level is as you work to improve upon your beginning baseline. There are a lot of choices of games so you will be able to find something she likes. The only problem husband has with it is getting his turn at using it since the whole family likes to play with it. I use it for exercise too.
Maybe the PT exercises, done faithfully and daily, will do more than she thinks. If she gets fatigued and lacks motivation, it sounds as though there is conflicted behavior. How about a mild anti-depressant?
I have had severe lower back problems and was taught initially with the most pathetic, old-lady exercises. But they strengthened the muscles and afforded me the ability to beef them up. I am now also at 40 minutes and 2 miles on the treadmill, after having started at 3 minutes last year.
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