Being active when you have a physical disability can help you stay in shape, prevent other health challenges from developing, and enjoy an empowering feeling of well-being.

Whether you’re diagnosed with a debilitating condition such as arthritis or low vision, use a wheelchair, or are temporarily laid up with a sports injury, it’s important to be as physically active as you can despite your disability.

“Exercise is so important, whether you have a life-changing permanent condition or one that’s just going to slow you down for a while, because the alternative is to become sedentary, which can lead to other health problems,” says J. Glen House, M.D., medical director of the Center for Neuro & Trauma Rehabilitation at Penrose Hospital in Colorado Springs, Colo., and chief medical officer at Disaboom.com.

The key is to find ways to work around your limitations. Here’s how to keep moving.

Discuss Problem Areas
Before starting an exercise program, get your doctor’s OK and discuss any potential pitfalls you need to be aware of related to your limitations.

“If you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes, for example, you’ll want to monitor your blood sugar closely, especially when you’re active, and pay careful attention to your feet, since they’re at higher risk for infection,” says Rochelle Rice, a fitness expert in New York City with Novo Nordisk Presents: Divabetic—Makeover Your Diabetes.

Similarly, if you need a wheelchair, you’ll want to design a routine that doesn’t overuse certain muscles and joints.

“People in wheelchairs are dependent on their hands and shoulders to push it. That’s also the way they’re going to exercise, so they need to find activities that boost the heart rate but won’t overwork the shoulders, elbows, and wrists, which can prevent them from functioning in their daily lives,” says House, who has needed a wheelchair for 18 years.

If you’re suffering from arthritis, or have a knee or other joint injury, your doctor can help define your limitations with that joint or any other part of the body.

Get Special Equipment
If you’re permanently disabled, a handcycle, which is like a bicycle for the arms, can increase your heart rate without putting your shoulders at risk for injury because it’s not exactly in the same wheelchair-pushing position you use all the time. There are also “lite” wheelchairs designed for upper-body exercise. They can simulate the cardiovascular workout you’d get by doing a long-distance run without straining the arms, shoulders, or wrists because they’re easier to propel. If you have arthritis, an elliptical trainer is a good option because it puts less pressure on joints than a treadmill.

To learn about special exercise equipment that can make exercise doable, consult a recreational therapist or see a personal trainer knowledgeable about your particular condition.

Don’t Go It Alone
Because having a disabling medical condition can feel isolating, consider teaming up with others who have the same challenges or fitness goals.

Joining a gym can be a good idea, but you can also branch out to activities offered in your area, such as a walking, dancing, or kayaking class.

“Group activities can make you accountable to others,” Rice says, “and help you stay motivated to exercise through obstacles, such as a change of seasons or a physical setback.”

Sandra Gordon is a feature writer for Vitality. For more information on exercising with a disability, visit www.disaboom.com. The American Council on Exercise, www.acefitness.org, also offers fact sheets on exercising with particular disabilities.

© StayWell Custom Communications. Information is the opinion of the sourced authors and organizations. Personal decisions regarding health, diet, and exercise should be made only after consultation with the reader's own medical advisers. This material may not be reproduced for redistribution without written permission from StayWell Custom Communications.