Increasing Physical Activity Among Adults with Disabilities

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Title: Increasing physical activity among adults with disabilities

Doctors and other health professionals can use these steps to recommend aerobic physical activity options that match each person’s specific abilities and connect him or her to resources that can help each person be physically active.

START

1. Know the Physical Activity Guidelines

The Physical Activity Guidelines are for everybody. www.health.gov/paguidelines/guidelines/
Review the patient’s charts before each visit.
Explain that adults of all shapes, sizes and abilities can benefit from being physically active.
Encourage at least 2½ hours a week of moderate-intensity physical activity.

2. Ask about physical activity

How much physical activity are you currently doing each week?
What types of physical activity do you enjoy?
How can you add more physical activity in your life?
Remember to look beyond the disability and put the person first. Use terms such as “person with a disability” instead of “disabled” or “handicapped person”.

3. Discuss barriers to physical activity

Physical Barriers
Emotional Barriers

4. Recommend physical activity options

Describe physical activity options based on patient’s abilities.
Brisk walking
Wheeling oneself in wheelchair
Swimming laps
Water aerobics
Hand-crank bicycle
Wheelchair basketball, tennis, football, or softball

5. Refer patient to resources and programs

Remember to use the “teach-back” method to make sure patient understands the recommendations.
Refer patient to resources and programs to help them begin or maintain their physical activity.
Check-in with patient about his or her activity level at every visit.

For resources: www.cdc.gov/disabilities/PA, www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns

SOURCE: 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans 2008; Exercise is Medicine, 2014, http://exerciseismedicine.org/.