Just because an older person uses a wheelchair does not mean that they should stop living an active and engaged life. As we get older, we are not able to do everything the way we used to, but there are ways that we can adapt. Many seniors in wheelchairs want to stay as fit as possible, and fortunately for them, there are plenty of ways they can do so. In this blog, we talk about how exercising with limited mobility is not as challenging as people think, and can often be enjoyable, especially when accompanied by some fine tunes.  

The benefits of exercising

A loss of autonomy and independence can often lead to feelings of depression and loneliness for many older adults. It can be frustrating for them to be unable to engage in normal day-to-day activities such as moving freely from room to room without needing assistance. This can lead to a sense of despair, especially for seniors with limited mobility, and can put them at risk for other illnesses and injuries. 

But thankfully, exercising can make daily life much easier for wheelchair users. When you start to feel stronger and more active, moving through the day goes from a challenge to a pleasure, which is, in turn, a reminder of improved fitness and health which continues to motivate training. In fact, exercise not only has great physical health benefits but also helps alleviate depression and improve energy. This is because when you exercise, your body releases endorphins that trigger a positive feeling accompanied by a brighter and more energising outlook on life. 

Additionally, pairing exercise with music can be a wonderful way to motivate someone to stay interested. This is because music has an incredibly positive effect on the body, helping to trigger and coordinate movement. Music can also distract someone from pain and fatigue and elevate their mood, which is the perfect pairing with the benefits of exercising! 

What types of exercises can you do with limited mobility? 

Cardiovascular Exercises 

This type of exercise raises the heart rate and increases endurance. For people who use a wheelchair, aerobic exercise has proven to be very beneficial, especially when done in water. This is because it supports the body and reduces the risk of muscle or joint discomfort. 

Strength Exercises 

The focus of these exercises is on using resistance to build muscle and bone mass, improve balance, and prevent falls. For someone in a wheelchair, leg mobility is restricted, so the emphasis is on training the upper body.

Flexibility Exercises 

These are also helpful for increasing strength, flexibility and balance. For someone in a wheelchair, this can be done by getting into various positions with the arms stretched out. This increases the range of motion in muscles and joints, which is important because this range of motion is what allows you to perform physical activities without feeling fatigued.

How does music help with exercise? 

Two of the most important qualities of workout music are tempo and rhythm response, which is more or less how much a song makes you want to dance around. When music is played, most people have an instinct to synchronize their movements and expressions with it—to nod their heads, tap their fingers or wave their hands. What type of music excites this instinct varies from culture to culture and from person to person, but the feeling is universal. Whenever you’re exercising, music can be your best friend by helping you to push past boredom. As you work out and progress through the routines, you will feel more confident and motivated. This will lead to bigger and better results, but it also makes working out a whole lot more fun!