People with physical and motor disabilities need to exercise, but there are many obstacles in their way

Although wheelchair users, visually impaired people and other people with mobility and physical disabilities need regular exercise, they often find it complex to exercise. In many cases, they cannot access to “adaptive” exercise and sports equipment – means machines, weights and other devices that have been modified or designed to facilitate their operate by disabled people.

High costs, complex learning curves and circumscribed access limit their operate.

To reach this conclusion, I collaborated with Helara Wijesundara, who, like me, is biomedical technology researcherto see what’s bothering them. We published our findings in Disability and Rehabilitation: A Journal of Assistive Technology in July 2024. We analyzed more than 40 products and more than 20 articles that researchers have published on this topic.

Constrained access

There are four types adaptive fitness tools on the market: exercise equipment and accessories, exercise machines, sports equipment and fitness applications.

For example, rowers, treadmills, and similar devices are basic to operate and can lend a hand users track their progress in improving their physical fitness.

There is little data on how often adaptive exercise machines would be used if they were available in gyms, which makes gyms reluctant to buy them. As a result not many gyms have any of these itemsand most people cannot afford to purchase their own device as such machines can cost up to $9,000.

Some adaptive exercise equipment doesn’t cost that much, though. For example, mono ropesthat is, ropes attached to a bar that a person with only one hand can operate to jump rope, typically cost around $100. Wheelchair tensioning strapsportable system, in which you can attach sturdy bands with handles to a wheelchair to perform muscle-strengthening exercises, costs about $150. Although they are readily available, these adaptive exercise tools are not found in most gyms.

In fact, the study was inspired by a conversation with members of the Movin’ Mavs, the championship wheelchair basketball team at the University of Texas at Arlington. These athletes said they had to get artistic to overcome the inconveniences of the gym.

For those who are not trained, the exercises become even more complex without professional guidance. It is basic to injure yourself without proper form or knowledge of how to safely operate the equipment, especially for people with disabilities.

Although they exist inclusive fitness certificates available, most fitness instructors are they are not trained to adapt their knowledge people with disabilities.

There too very little effort has been made to design digital fitness technologysuch as adaptive exercise machines that connect to fitness gaming apps Or virtual group exercise apps for people with disabilities.

However, such features would be very useful as they could lend a hand people with disabilities learn to exercise, build self-confidence and enhance motivation.

Stern health problem

This 13% of Americans have disabilities If twice as likely have diabetes, stroke, and depression than the general population. This isn’t just because of disparities in access to health care or comorbidities. It’s also because they get less exercise than they need.

Only about 1 in 4 American adults follow recommended physical activity guidelines, which include at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week and engaging in muscle-strengthening activities at least twice a week.

People with disabilities are even less likely to meet these guidelines: Less than 1 in 10 adults have a mobility disability If performing the recommended amount of exercise.

Some I’m afraid of getting hurt. Others say that I don’t know how to exercise or are too shy to do it in a public space. Most gym machines are not accessible, and asking for lend a hand using them can make some people feel uncomfortable.

Arrival and return Gyms can be complex for some disabled people to operate, especially in rural areas where gyms are unlikely to offer disabled facilities.

Adaptive fitness solutions have the potential to improve overall physical and mental health, reduce social isolation, prevent disease, and drive social change toward accessibility. However, insurance companies will only cover the cost of personal adaptive exercise equipment and enrollment in programs with doctor’s note.

Next steps

Researchers still do not know how people with physical and mobility disabilities learn about and access fresh adaptive exercise tools.

And despite this latest advances in exercise technologyCreating exercise equipment suitable for people with physical disabilities remains a secondary issue for designers.

That’s why my research team is developing adaptive exercise machines that can be used by people of all abilities, combined with digital fitness technology to guide and track exercise performance. With the lend a hand of our team of engineers, researchers, disabled people and disability advocacy organizations, we will launch our first petite pilot study in delayed 2024 to assess how well these machines work and get feedback for future development.

If everyone could operate accessible equipment, it would reduce costs, enhance demand and justify the purchase of equipment for public gyms.