Can Medically Complex People Exercise?

Written by Connie Mink in Wellbeing

Regular exercise is crucial for overall health. Yet, opportunities to engage in everyday exercise routines are not always available for medically complex individuals. Fortunately, there are many ways that you or your loved one can improve your health, despite your conditions.

Medically complex people can and should exercise. The benefits available to this demographic are endless. With a regular exercise routine, you can improve your physical and mental health, prevent outbursts related to mental health conditions, and more. Even simple activities such as walking and swimming can drastically improve your wellbeing. 

It can be tricky to determine what type of exercise is best for you or your loved one. After all, there are many different types of disabilities that those with special needs live with. Luckily, there are numerous ways in which you can engage in routine exercise. Read on to learn the benefits of physical activity and the types of routines you can participate in.

The Necessity of Exercise for Medically Complex Individuals

As it is widely understood, the list of benefits that one can reap from regular exercise is quite extensive. This applies to people without disabilities and medically complex people as well. In a 2006 study, researchers tested an “exercise-based comprehensive rehabilitation program” to determine the program’s effects on the health of patients with special needs.

The patients were all in their seventies, although medically complex individuals of any age can experience the advantages of an exercise routine. 

Participants had previously been diagnosed with the illnesses listed below (and more): 

  • Hypertension
  • Coronary artery disease (CAD)
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  • Type II diabetes
  • Muscle atrophy
  • Osteoporosis
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Degenerative joint disease

The types of exercises these patients were assigned include the following:

  • Stretching
  • Strengthening (activities to build muscle such as resistance training)
  • Endurance
  • Balance
  • “Dynamic” exercises, requiring both sitting and standing

Along with these routines, all were enrolled in physical therapy. Each 60-minute exercise session they underwent was performed under the supervision of a licensed M.D. and physical therapist. Sessions took place three times weekly. 

The group had achieved inspiring results once the trials had ended:

  • The patients saw significant increases in their leg and back strength, and their capacity for aerobic workouts had been substantially increased. 
  • Further, they even reported improvements in mental and emotional health, social relationships, and feelings of vitality. 

From this study, it is clear that, with a little exercise, even those who face unusual challenges in their medical wellbeing can see drastic enhancements in their quality of life. (Source: National Library of Medicine)

Why You or Your Loved One with Special Needs Should Exercise

If you or your loved one has been deemed a medically complex patient, there is no need to feel as if you are unwelcome in the fitness realm. You are highly encouraged to join in the world of exercise, as it will serve to boost your health significantly. 

A few of the benefits that those with disabilities can reap from their exercising experiences are as follows (Source: eMediHealth):

  • Prevention of any unwanted behaviors that come from mental health conditions: Since working out will get rid of excess energy, you or your loved one will be significantly calmer, and thus, be able to avoid emotional outbursts and similar behaviors.
  • Physical recovery: Those who have a disability due to an accident may recover from their injuries or generally improve their physical condition. Physical therapy, for example, can restore any lost range of motion or reestablish movement in injured muscles and joints. 
  • Improvement of neuroplasticity: With regular exercise, the brain can essentially “rewire” itself to function at high capacity and renew awareness and cognition in the affected individual.

You may be worried about the accessibility of gyms and a potential lack of accommodations for your condition. Fortunately, you don’t have to worry too much about this aspect. Numerous personal trainers are willing to meet with you and design a routine that perfectly suits your needs. Some gyms even offer padded floors to perform floor exercises if you are unable to use the available equipment.

All you must do as you venture into exercising with your loved one who is medically complex (or if you are medically complex) is to communicate openly with your gym staff or personal trainer and modify the exercises as necessary. 

If you’re ready to get started, here are a few of the primary ways that people with disabilities can experience the benefits of exercising:

Taking a Walk Through the Neighborhood

Not all physical activity has to leave you heaving for oxygen at the end of your session. Some exercises can be relatively simple, and even relaxing, to engage in. This is especially important for people with physical disabilities – routines that are too demanding on the body may do more harm than good.

One of the simplest routines you can commit to is taking a daily walk through your neighborhood. Depending on how you feel, it can be a short walk or a long one. This is the most common form of exercise for adults with mobility-related disabilities, so you’re sure to find your comfort zone with this routine. (Source: The Center for Disease Control and Prevention)

Simple Cardio Exercises at Home

For those who are stuck at home because of their disability, there are workout options for you, as well! The National Center on Health, Physical Activity, and Disability (NCHPAD) has published a myriad of videos on YouTube to teach people how to engage in simple exercises from the comfort of their own home. 

NCHPAD provides a wide range of exercises for people with many types of medical conditions:

NCHPAD has done an incredible job creating a safe space for people of all medical backgrounds to come together and enjoy the benefits of working out. (Source: National Center on Health, Physical Activity, and Disability YouTube Channel)

Taking a Dip in the Pool

Although it may seem to be high-intensity at times, swimming is one of the most inclusive sports. Since it is a “weightless exercise,” even those with little to no muscle tone (i.e., those with muscle atrophy, others with mobility-related disabilities) can participate.

The way that the water envelopes the body is much different than the air. It alleviates the weight of gravity and makes it easier to move around for some. Since there is also a gentle pressure exerted on the body by the water resistance, this type of exercise also helps to build core strength and improve balance and coordination. (Source: Sea Otter Swim Lessons)

Weightlifting or Other Forms of Strength Training

Strength training exercises are critical for those looking to prevent muscle atrophy due to a physical disability. The weights do not have to be too heavy. As long as they offer a reasonable level of resistance, providing you the opportunity to build or maintain muscle, they will do just fine. 

If you do not wish to use weights or they are inaccessible, you can find other forms of resistance, such as tension bands. These types of exercises can be adapted for all sorts of conditions. Those who lack mobility (or have limited mobility) in the lower halves of their bodies can work on their core and arm strength instead. (Source: Help Guide)

Hiking for Those with Disabilities 

Hiking is an excellent form of exercise for children or adults with autism. Not only does it get the body moving, but it also provides a wealth of sensory stimuli in the environment. This serves to provide an unprecedented level of engagement from the medically complex individual throughout the hike, which will improve the experience for all involved.

If you are struggling with creating a fulfilling workout environment indoors, give hiking a try. Keep in mind that you should keep your hikes gentle, so your body isn’t pushed too hard. Try to stay on highly accessible paths, too, in case you need to turn back at any time.

In Conclusion

You and your loved one who is medically complex are not only welcome to exercise, but you are strongly encouraged to join in! Regular exercise can help you improve physical disabilities, combat muscle atrophy, prevent unwanted behavioral side effects of mental health conditions, and more. 

Get in touch with your medical provider to determine which type of exercise will best benefit you or your loved one in consideration of your condition.

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