SCI Forum Reports
Fitness & Exercise
February 12, 2002
SKIFORALL teamed up with physical, occupational, and recreational therapists at Harborview to present a program about fitness and exercise for people with SCI. SKIFORALL (425-462-0978) provides year-round outdoor recreation opportunities and instruction to people with disabilities.
Starting at 4:00 PM, SKIFORALL offered several types of adaptive cycles for people to try out. With staff and volunteers strategically placed in the halls as monitors, visitors glided through Harborview's hallways test-riding different models. For information about where to obtain adaptive cycles, visit SKIFORALL's Web site and select the "Resources" link.
At the regular 7:00 PM SCI Forum start time, Debbie Levin, PT, began by reminding everyone to check with their physicians before starting an exercise program, and to start slow to avoid injuries, sore muscles, or discouragement. "e;Research has shown that it takes six months to build a habit,"e; she said. She outlined the three components of a good fitness program: strengthening activities, such as weight training; flexibility and stretching exercises; and aerobic conditioning that increases the heart rate. She also suggested consulting a physical therapist to help develop a program that meets individual needs and limitations.
There are numerous aerobic endurance exercise option, such as ergometers, arm-driven bicycles, aerobic exercise videos, and wheelchair propulsion activities. For people who have trouble getting motivated, exercising with a group may be more enjoyable, and recreation therapists can supply information about fitness programs and groups available in the area.
Darci Sgrignoli, occupational therapist, demonstrated stretching and range-of-motion exercises, and emphasized that the person helping with these should be trained by a PT or OT so injuries and overstretching don't occur. A good stretching program helps minimize the risk of pulled muscles and improves sitting posture, which will reduce the risk of pressure ulcers.
A regular strengthening program has many advantages, according to Amy Icarangal, PT. It helps with weight control, because muscle burns calories faster than fat. It improves the ability to perform activities of daily living, helps prevent osteoporosis, raises the level of good cholesterol (HDL) in the blood, and may lower blood pressure. Proper strengthening exercises can help wheelchair users avoid shoulder problems. Icarangal discussed the key muscle groups that need to be strengthened and provided information about different strengthening exercise options, including dumbbells, theraband, cuff weights, and machines (Rickshaw, overhead pulley, Bowflex). She recommended working with a PT to develop an individualized program.
Posture and seating is also a very important part of fitness, Icarangal said. "e;It doesn't matter what your level of injury is, you should be sitting upright."e; She recommended getting seating evaluated at a seating clinic.
Physical Therapist Heather Martin discussed the importance of respiratory muscle training to maximize ventilatory function and airway clearance. She demonstrated some breathing exercises and a device that patients can use to strengthen respiratory muscles; patients can ask a PT how to obtain this device.
Martin also recommended the lifetime use of an abdominal binder to assist with respiration. "e;For expiration, you rely on your abdominal muscles for resistance,"e; she said. "e;The binder supplies that."e; These are available at Home Depot.
After the presentations, Forum attendees were invited to talk to the speakers individually and get a closer look at exercise equipment and videos.
Health Clubs with Wheelchair Accessible Facilities in the Puget Sound Area
Bally Total Fitness (800-677-4447)
Bellevue Parks and Community Service Highline Center (425-452-7686) has a para gym for upper body strengthening, power trainers for arms and legs, cable weights with cuff clips.
Olympic Athletic Club (206-789-5010) has dumbbells and free weights.
Sound Mind and Body (206-547-3470) has dumbbells, free weights, and a personal trainer with experience working with people in wheelchairs (Brad Hayes).
Seattle Athletic Club (206-443-1111) has a Ground Zero cable weight system with cuff clips, dumbbells, and free weights.