Health Fitness

Easy exercises for paraplegics that you can do regularly

Paraplegia is a condition that is related to spinal cord injuries and causes lower body paralysis. Although a person with the condition may have full or partial mobility of the upper body, the muscles can atrophy and there may be a deterioration in cardiovascular health due to inactivity. An inactive lifestyle makes a person more prone to coronary artery disease, obesity, and diabetes. The benefits of doing paraplegic exercises They include improved mood and strength, a wider range of motion, and the accumulation of muscle mass.

Breathing exercises

The degree of paralysis varies between individuals, but many have difficulty breathing. Paraplegic breathing exercises increase lung capacity and strengthen cardiovascular endurance. It has been recommended by the University of Alabama Birmingham Spinal Cord Injury Network Information Center that breathing exercises for paraplegics should begin with a deep breath, holding it for five seconds before exhaling. Then you need to take a deep breath as fast as you can and exhale all the air from your lungs immediately. The pattern is as follows: inhale deeply, hold, inhale, and hold. Repeat one more time before exhaling. Finally, take a deep breath and exhale as you count out loud.

Bicep curls

Doing paraplegic upper-body exercises, such as bicep curls, strengthens the arm, promotes better weight, and reduces muscle wasting or breakdown. Paraplegics can have muscle weakness and it is vital that they start the program slowly, building initial strength by using light weights and then moving on to a more intense regimen. Using weights provides resistance and helps build stronger muscles. Bicep curls for paraplegics strengthen the upper and front of the arms. To do the exercise, hang your arms outside the wheelchair with a light weight on both hands. Your palms should turn to the front. Bend your arms slightly, lifting the weights toward your shoulders. Stop before they touch your body. Return to the straight arm position and repeat until you achieve the desired repetitions.

Side lift and shrug

These paraplegic exercises strengthen the shoulders and increase their mobility and range of motion. With a light weight in each hand, place your arms straight at your sides. Bend your arms until the weights are parallel to the ground. Return to the starting position and then repeat until you complete the desired number of repetitions.

These are just a few of the paraplegic exercises you can do. There are more exercises that are tailored to a particular disability. You can search for them online or ask your physical therapist about them.