Paraplegia is a condition that is related to spinal cord injuries and causes paralysis of the lower body. Although a person with the condition may have full or partial mobility of the upper body, muscles may atrophy and there may be decreased cardiovascular health due to inactivity. An inactive lifestyle makes a person more prone to coronary artery disease, obesity, and diabetes. The benefits of doing exercises for paraplegics they include improved mood and strength, increased range of motion, and the buildup of muscle mass.
Breathing exercises
The degree of paralysis varies between individuals, but many have difficulty breathing. Breathing exercises for paraplegics increase lung capacity and strengthen cardiovascular endurance. It has been recommended by the Spinal Cord Injury Network Information Center at the University of Alabama at Birmingham that breathing exercises for paraplegics should start with a deep breath, holding it for five seconds before exhaling. You should then 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 upper body exercises for paraplegics, such as bicep curls, strengthens the arm, promotes better weight, and reduces muscle weakness or breakdown. Paraplegics can have muscle weakness and it is vital that you start the program slowly, building up initial strength through the use of light weights and then moving on to a more intense regimen. Using free weights provides resistance and helps build stronger muscles. Bicep curls for paraplegics strengthen the upper and front arms. To do the exercise, hang your arms outside the wheelchair with a light weight in both hands. Your palms should be facing forward. Slightly bend your arms, lifting the weights toward your shoulders. Stop before they touch your body. Return to straight arm position and repeat until you achieve your desired repetitions.
Shoulder shrugs and lateral raises
These exercises for paraplegics strengthen the shoulders and increase their mobility and range of motion. With a light weight held in each hand, place your arms straight at your sides. Bend your arms until the dumbbells are parallel to the floor. Return to the starting position and then repeat until you complete the desired number of repetitions.
These are just some of the paraplegic exercises you can do. There are more exercises that are tailored to a particular disability. You can look them up online or ask your physical therapist about them.