The Surgeon General posted the benefits of exercise for people with disabilities:
(Click HERE for the website)
BENEFITS OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
- Reduces the risk of dying from coronary heart disease and of developing high blood pressure, colon cancer, and diabetes.
- Can help people with chronic, disabling conditions improve their stamina and muscle strength.
- Reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression, improves mood, and promotes general feelings of well-being.
- Helps control joint swelling and pain associated with arthritis.
- Can help reduce blood pressure in some people with hypertension.
Besides doing yoga or tai chi, I discovered there are some other innovative ways to incorporate exercise into TR programs!
The Recreation Therapy website has a lot of cool activities to get people of all ages to become physically active without running for miles or lifting weights.
One of the activities I liked a lot was this one: (THINK SPRING!!! :) )
Spring Reflections
Submitted by Jessica Dillon of Center for the Disabled on May 07, 2004
Size: 1-8
Equipment: Scarves or ribbons on sticks, taped background music (such as classical music), and your creativity!
Objective: To increase overall body awareness, gross motor skills, and self expression.
Description: ***This is an activity that was used successfully with disabled adults.***
Begin this activity by having the group wave/move their scarves or ribbons all around their bodies, such as over head, behind or in front of the body, to the side, and (bending) to the floor, as a warm-up. (2 min.)
Ask the group to think about what happens during the spring time. Mention the weather (sunshine, rain, wind), and growth (plants/flowers). Suggest that you would like to try to express these changes through movement with your scarf or ribbon sticks. (2 min.)
Start with sunshine as you direct each person to wave their scarves in an arch overhead, side to side. Repeat.
Transition to wind, waving your scarf wildly in big, gusting movements all over and around your body. Repeat.
Add rain by starting up high and 'sprinkling' your way to the floor. Repeat. Try light and heavy rain.
Finish with plants 'sprouting' up out of the ground. Try little ones (short)like grass or clover, and then really tall ones, like sun flowers, that seem to 'jump' into the air as they grow.
For more fun, after going through these in practice, sequence the movements into one flowing movement (performing each only once and then moving directly to the next), or ask the group to lead you through the moves without speaking (promting).
At the end of the group, be sure to ask the group what other things they think about when remembering spring. Put those thoughts into motion and have the group mirror each individual's contribution.
This activity can work with many different age groups, (kids and adults!) and can be adapted for each season, holiday, etc. There are endless possibilities when it comes to materials used--for example--when working with the elderly population, more complex and vibrant colors/textures can be used. Although this version doesn't mention the use of music, I think it would be great to incorporate different styles of music into the program as well!
Another fun innovative exercise activity I came across was called "Popercise"
Popercise
submitted by Trudy Hamilton on Friday, December 26, 2003 popercise
Size: unlimited
Equipment: bubble wrap of various sizes, music
Objective: this activity provides lots of fun at different levels of function.
Description: clear enough area of activity room to lay bubble wrap on the floor. have music on and let residents dance, walk, or jump on the bubble wrap to the beat of the music. you can use the smaller bubble wrap for residents that are unable to walk/stand and have them pop as many at one time. have them start to twist the bubble wrap at one end and the activity director twist at the other end. lots of fun!
^ This activity is so simple and yet would be so much fun and definitely provide exercise for a wide variety of populations. Who doesn't like to pop bubble wrap?!
Here's the LINK to more cool active activities to use in the TR setting!
Submitted by Jessica Dillon of Center for the Disabled on May 07, 2004
Size: 1-8
Equipment: Scarves or ribbons on sticks, taped background music (such as classical music), and your creativity!
Objective: To increase overall body awareness, gross motor skills, and self expression.
Description: ***This is an activity that was used successfully with disabled adults.***
Begin this activity by having the group wave/move their scarves or ribbons all around their bodies, such as over head, behind or in front of the body, to the side, and (bending) to the floor, as a warm-up. (2 min.)
Ask the group to think about what happens during the spring time. Mention the weather (sunshine, rain, wind), and growth (plants/flowers). Suggest that you would like to try to express these changes through movement with your scarf or ribbon sticks. (2 min.)
Start with sunshine as you direct each person to wave their scarves in an arch overhead, side to side. Repeat.
Transition to wind, waving your scarf wildly in big, gusting movements all over and around your body. Repeat.
Add rain by starting up high and 'sprinkling' your way to the floor. Repeat. Try light and heavy rain.
Finish with plants 'sprouting' up out of the ground. Try little ones (short)like grass or clover, and then really tall ones, like sun flowers, that seem to 'jump' into the air as they grow.
For more fun, after going through these in practice, sequence the movements into one flowing movement (performing each only once and then moving directly to the next), or ask the group to lead you through the moves without speaking (promting).
At the end of the group, be sure to ask the group what other things they think about when remembering spring. Put those thoughts into motion and have the group mirror each individual's contribution.
This activity can work with many different age groups, (kids and adults!) and can be adapted for each season, holiday, etc. There are endless possibilities when it comes to materials used--for example--when working with the elderly population, more complex and vibrant colors/textures can be used. Although this version doesn't mention the use of music, I think it would be great to incorporate different styles of music into the program as well!
Another fun innovative exercise activity I came across was called "Popercise"
Popercise
submitted by Trudy Hamilton on Friday, December 26, 2003 popercise
Size: unlimited
Equipment: bubble wrap of various sizes, music
Objective: this activity provides lots of fun at different levels of function.
Description: clear enough area of activity room to lay bubble wrap on the floor. have music on and let residents dance, walk, or jump on the bubble wrap to the beat of the music. you can use the smaller bubble wrap for residents that are unable to walk/stand and have them pop as many at one time. have them start to twist the bubble wrap at one end and the activity director twist at the other end. lots of fun!
Here's the LINK to more cool active activities to use in the TR setting!
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