Fit for anything
Exercise is just as important for disabled people as for anyone. It’s essential to maintain good heart and lung health through aerobic exercise, as well as reducing the risk of osteoporosis.
A recent study of disabled gym users revealed that when it comes to exercise, disabled people have staying power - they are almost twice as likely to still be using the gym at any given point in time than non-disabled users.
But keeping fit doesn’t necessarily mean sticking to arduous gym regimes; the most important thing is for you to be as active as you can.
It may seem a struggle at first, but find an exercise you enjoy and set yourself achievable goals and you’ll feel fantastic.
That’s the firm belief of Maggie Pickard, course director with Extend, an organisation which runs classes for the over sixties and less able people of all ages.
Maggie, one of the speakers at the Your Voice conference, said: “It was clear that most of the audience knew of the importance of exercise but 75 per cent of them didn’t see it as a priority… which I have to say didn’t come as a surprise to me because that’s the same for the general population.
“There are so many benefits from regular exercise from improving mobility, circulation and digestion through to psychological benefits.
“Being active improves your sense of well-being and self-esteem. Joining a gym or suitable class also gets you out of the house and among new people.
“Keeping in good shape helps to keep your weight down and also means that people are more likely to be able to live independently for longer.”
But Maggie advised: “The main thing is to set yourself achievable goals. Aim too high straight away and you are likely to give up within days.”
Maggie also voiced her concerns about the number of facilities available and the number of instructors who are qualified to teach people with conditions such as spina bifida.
“Thankfully the Disability Discrimination Act means that the situation is improving,” she said. “There is also a range of new qualifications to give instructors better training, knowledge and awareness of the needs of disabled people.”
The Extend organisation was set up almost 50 years ago providing movement to music classes in nursing homes, hospitals and hospices.
Today it is active in many parts of the England and its highly qualified instructors are now running classes for community groups.
For more information about Extend
visit www.extend.org.uk
The BBC disability website, Ouch, also has information and motivational tips of getting fit.
www.bbc.co.uk/ouch/closeup/fatnation
For disability sport and fitness go to www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/Everydaylifeandaccess/SportsAndHobbies