Physical activity has been shown to improve cardiovascular and muscular fitness, mental health, and the ability to perform activities of daily living.  And though I hope it’s of no surprise, this holds true for everyone.

For the most part, the guidelines for people with disabilities are not much different from the guidelines designated for “active” adults.  The main difference seems to be the incorporation of the phrase “who are able to” into the specific recommendations as well as the removal of the suggestion that individuals should continue to increase or progress activity to reap even further health benefits (i.e. “the more the better”).  There is also an additional recommendation for people with disabilities to consult a health-care provider about the amounts and types of physical activity that are appropriate for their abilities.

So let’s break this down: 

• Physical activity provides the same benefits to everyone. 
• Everyone should work toward performing the same amount and types of physical activity on a daily basis.
• BUT, if you have a disability, you should find out how to do so. 

Sounds simple.

But how do you find out how and where to exercise if (for example) you were born with spina bifida and the only person that you have ever seen for exercise (physical therapy) is at the rehabilitation hospital 2 hours away?  PLUS, you use crutches to ambulate to work so don’t have enough energy reserve to take additional walks around your neighborhood but there are no curb cuts for using your wheelchair on the sidewalks.  PLUS, your local gym doesn’t have any upper body machines or staff members who seem comfortable with your disability.  PLUS, you have trouble regulating your body temperature and are concerned that any exercise will exacerbate your spasticity or other neurological symptoms. 

That doesn’t make it sound so easy, does it?

People with disabilities may find more difficulty than most in meeting the recommended Physical Activity Guidelines based on the barriers they face when seeking out physical activity.  Barriers can be architectural (there is no curb cut), programmatic (chairs are not available in exercise classes), or attitudinal (assumptions based on a diagnosis or the use of an assistive device). 

Studies show that physical activity can be done safely when the program is matched to an individual’s abilities.  We all have different abilities, different strengths and weaknesses, different levels of activity, different needs, different interests, etc.  As fitness professionals, we have the opportunity of a lifetime to provide a much needed and appreciated service to millions of people (with and without disabilities) by becoming trained, knowledgeable and willing to adapt activities to address society’s differences, regardless of the existence of medical diagnoses.

So what do we do now?  Here are a few suggestions:

1. Look at what the person can do, not their limitations.
2. Seek training and educational opportunities. 
   1. For example, there is a new specialty certification from the American College of Sports Medicine and the National Center on Physical Activity and Disability called a Certified Inclusive Fitness Trainer
3. Expand your marketing.  The world of disability is a large one, 54 million, and it is also a well connected.  Often one member/client will mean many more to follow.

 For more information about physical activity for people with disabilities, go to www.ncpad.org.

What else can fitness professionals do?  What are you already doing?

The 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans provided the nation with an airtight scientific case for why a person should make exercise a top priority.  The case is unchallenged and polls show that the health benefits of exercise are generally acknowledged by an overwhelming majority of Americans.  Nevertheless, research suggests that most Americans are not active enough to actually reap the benefits.

 We are left, therefore, with one simple, maddening, urgent question:

“How do we compel more Americans to exercise regularly?”

We know there are real barriers to physical activity (injury/illness, unsafe environment, etc.), but other commonly cited barriers, such as “lack of time,” seem too often to simply be the consequence of low prioritization; conscious or subconscious choices to put-off exercise until a theoretical later date.     

 At IHRSA, one way we’ve attempted to address the question is with our I Lost it at the Club! program, an eight-week motivational weight loss program designed to help individuals keep their New Year’s resolutions and maintain a healthy and active lifestyle year-round.  Currently in its 6th year, I Lost it at the Club! is set up as a competition among the participating health clubs.  Last year, a total of 4,857 participants lost over 22,100 lbs.

Undoubtedly, much of the program’s success is due to the great passion and spirit of the participating clubs and their communities, but we think a critical component of the program is that it ties people to something bigger than themselves.  It fosters camaraderie, holds people accountable to others, and celebrates accomplishments.  Moreover, it recognizes that physical activity, like obesity, is contagious, and that social environments play a major role in our levels of physical activity.

The compelling power of camaraderie is certainly not a novel concept, but perhaps it has nevertheless been undervalued or underemphasized in the promotion of physical activity.   It seems like the business community is beginning to incorporate the idea into workplace wellness programs, and social gatherings like running clubs have certainly flourished, but we’d like to see it spread deeper into society, embraced by families, friends, religious groups, book clubs, Facebook friends, etc. 

We want us all to challenge those around us – the people we care about – to be more physically active.

We know there are several wonderful organizations with programs designed to bring people together for physical activity.  We would love to hear from as many of you as possible.  What are you doing and how has it worked?