One of the obstacles that people with long-term physical disabilities can encounter is anxiety. Anxiety is a feeling of fear, worry, or apprehension. Although it is a natural reaction to a stressor, it can be detrimental when the intensity is disproportionate to the situation, leading to anxiety disorders. The presence of anxiety symptoms can interfere with the quality of life.
Numerous researches have studied the benefits of physical activity in promoting psychological well-being among various clinical and non-clinical populations. Several studies also suggest that being physically active protects against the development of anxiety disorders.
Benefits of physical activities
- Decreases the risk of cardiovascular diseases
- Prevents or delays the development of high blood pressure
- Maintains normal muscle strength, joint structure, and joint function
- Relieves symptoms of depression and anxiety
- Improves mood
- Enhances overall health and well-being
On the other hand, inhibited physical activity contributes to the development of anxiety among individuals with long-term physical disabilities.
Detrimental effects of physical inactivity
- Leads to a cycle of de-conditioning that results in the impairment of multiple physiological systems
- Diminished self-concept
- Greater reliance on others for daily living activities
- Reduced ability for normal societal interactions
There are benefits of physical activities and detrimental effects of physical inactivity; however, given the physical and environmental limitations among people with physical disabilities, it can be challenging for them to meet the recommended physical activity levels for general health maintenance and promotion. It is crucial to consult with a healthcare professional for the suggested physical activity treatments. Treatments depend on the severity of the condition, age, gender, physical characteristics, or medical condition of the individuals. Aside from the recommendations of a healthcare professional, other helpful interventions include working on arm exercises as an alternative to leg exercise in individuals with neurological or orthopedic impairment of the lower body parts. Furthermore, unwavering support from the individuals’ families and health care teams is also essential in promoting physical activities.
How to increase participation and interest in physical activities?
- Establish short term goals
- Include variety and enjoyment
- Provide positive reinforcement
- Recruit family members to join and support the exercise
- Include a modified recreational game
- Use progress charts to record exercise achievements
- Recognise individual accomplishments
- Log in to your Able Member’s Area once a week
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REFERENCES
Battalio, S. L., Huffman, S. E., & Jensen, M. P. (2020). Longitudinal associations between physical activity, anxiety, and depression in adults with long-term physical disabilities. Health Psychology, 39(6), 529.
Durstine, J. L., Painter, P., Franklin, B. A., Morgan, D., Pitetti, K. H., & Roberts, S. O. (2000). Physical activity for the chronically ill and disabled. Sports Medicine, 30(3), 207-219.
Gelaw, A. Y., Janakiraman, B., Gebremeskel, B. F., & Ravichandran, H. (2020). Effectiveness of Home-based rehabilitation in improving physical function of persons with Stroke and other physical disability: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases, 29(6), 104800
Jacinto, M., Frontini, R., Matos, R., & Antunes, R. (2021, August). Effects of Exercise Programs on Anxiety in Individuals with Disabilities: A Systematic Review with a Meta-Analysis. In Healthcare (Vol. 9, No. 8, p. 1047). Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute.
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