NCBDDD Home   Women's Home  Breast Cancer Screening   Access to Health Care   Abuse   Physical Activity

[Esta página en Español]

Physical Activity for Women with Disabilities

The importance of physical activity for women with disabilities cannot be overstated. 

Physical activity can prevent or delay many of the secondary conditions that often complicate disability, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, osteoporosis, obesity, and depression.  It can help control the pain of arthritis and help maintain healthy muscles and joints.

Healthy People 2010 and the 1996 Surgeon General's Report on Physical Activity and Health cite the benefits of physical activity to overall health and well-being.  However, people with disabilities are less physically active than people without disabilities.  Women with disabilities must contend with attitudes that assume people with disabilities cannot or do not need to exercise. 

Finding an accessible gym can be a challenge.  Health clubs should have accessible parking, automatic doors, wide aisles, and accessible showers, lockers, and pools,  Adaptive exercise equipment includes roll-in strength training machines, hand cycles, and underwater exercise equipment.  Staff should be trained to be sensitive to the needs of people with disabilities and to assist people with disabilities when necessary. 

The Surgeon General's Report emphasized that inactive people can improve their health with even moderate increases in regular activity.

Resources

"Exercise for People with Disabilities:  Getting Started on Your Fitness Plan" presents a convincing case for the importance of physical activity and provides the tools to make it happen:  A goals chart, activity log, list of exercise videos for people with disabilities, and a detailed personal physical activity plan form.  The booklet is funded by CDC and available from the Research and Training Center on Independent Living at the University of Kansas.  Visit http://www.rtcil.org or call (785) 864-4095.

"Removing Barriers to Health Clubs and Fitness Facilities: A Guide for Accommodating All Members, Including People with Disabilities and Older Adults" makes the case for health clubs to make their facilities welcoming to people with disabilities.  The CDC-funded booklet reviews Americans with Disabilities Act standards for design and gives specific recommendations for improving accessibility of fitness faculties, choosing equipment, and assisting people with disabilities.  The publication is available from the North Carolina Office on Disability and Health.  Visit www.fpg.unc.edu/~ncodh/ or call (919) 966-0868.

The National Center on Physical Activity and Disability, funded by CDC, is a good starting place for women with disabilities, health-care providers, public health practitioners, and disability and service organizations to learn more about physical activity and disability.  This national clearinghouse provides a large number of resources, ranging from research to instructional videos to discussion groups.  Visit www.ncpad.org or call (800) 900-8086.

CDC Home | Search | Health Topics A-Z

Accessibility | Privacy Policy Notice

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities

The National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD) promotes the health of babies, children, and adults, and enhances the potential for full, productive living.  Our work includes identifying the causes of birth defects and developmental disabilities, helping children to develop and reach their full potential, and promoting health and well-being among people of all ages with disabilities.