Recreation and Physical Activity

"Physical Activity appears to relieve symptoms of depression and anxiety and improve mood, as well as improving physical functioning."
- Surgeon General's Report on Physical Activity and Health, 1996

Lynchburg Parks and Recreation
The Challenged Sports Exchange

Participation in recreational and social activities is essential for people with disabilities, who sometimes feel socially isolated. People with disabilities can easily participate in most of these events with very little effort from event planners.

• Most community events, meetings, and recreational activities can be held at disability accessible sites.
• Sports and recreational activities are usually easily adapted for people with disabilities to participate.

Regular physical activity provides more energy and endurance for everyday activities, improves muscle tone, and assists in healthy weight maintenance. Fitness facilities can be safe places to be physically active and social. Some gyms and health clubs in Virginia are more accessible to people with disabilities than others. Go in to the facility and thoroughly check it out, before you make any commitments.

Sheltering Arms Physical Rehabilitation Centers, in the greater Richmond area, specifically provides exercise equipment designed for people with disabilities. Their program "Club Rec" allows people to use exercise equipment and the therapeutic pool. Additionally, they offer social, recreational and wellness programs. Many YMCA's have worked to make their facilities more accessible and offer a variety of exercise classes that can be adapted for someone with a disability. They also offer memberships on a sliding scale. Contact your local YMCA for more information.

There are some prominent barriers that people may have to overcome to participate in recreational and social activities, even if they are accessible.
Barriers that may limit participation in physical activity include:

• Reliable transportation, private or public – often transportation services and city buses don't run in the evenings
• Access to information about accessible events
• Lack of safe environments to be physically active, especially in rural areas
• Lack of understanding that any physical activity is better than no activity

National Spinal Cord Injury Association
Old Dominion Chapter, Golf Marathon 2005

Many of us think about physical activity as high impact or high energy, such as aerobics, biking, or running. Any physical activity a person does during the day can help with energy, flexibility, and muscle tone. Daily physical activities may include house cleaning, gardening, walking the dog, or grocery shopping. Most stretching and low impact exercises, such as yoga and water aerobics, can be easily adapted for people with disabilities. There are many popular sports that are now adaptive for people with disabilities, including golf, basketball, rugby, volleyball, and river rafting. Diabetes Self-Management Magazine published an article (in PDF format), "Wheelchair Exercises for Fitness and Confidence", that is not only good for someone that uses a wheelchair, but anyone with limited mobility.

There are many way to find out what activities and events are going on in your area. Often local television, radio stations and newspapers announce community events, but you may also try some local organizations such as centers for independent living, nonprofit organizations, and Virginia Parks and Recreation. The organization PosAbilities Unlimited has also published a guide, " Recreational Resources for Persons with Disabilities" (hard copies are available through HPPD).

People with disabilities may find it more challenging to be physically active if they have to rely on another person to be active. Below is a chart that indicates the rates of physical activity for people with disabilities and for those without.