November 23, 2009
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Sports & Leisure
Sports & Leisure
Health and Safety:
Certain health and safety issues must be addressed in all exercise activities.
- Participants should drink plenty of water before, during, and after exercise. The exact amount will depend upon a number of factors including temperature, humidity, and length of the workout.
- Clothing and footwear appropriate for each specific exercise program should be worn at all times. Apparel that could cause an accident and/or injury should be avoided (e.g.: loose slacks or pants that could get caught in the chain of a bicycle). Head gear and knee and elbow pads may be needed in some activities.
- Extra precautions should be taken for strenuous outdoor activity during times of extreme heat or cold. The amount of time exercising often must be adjusted for extremes of heat, cold and high humidity. The length and intensity of the workout should decrease as the temperature and humidity increase.
- If exercising outdoors, care should be taken to wear the appropriate clothing depending upon the weather. Clothing should be layered so that items can be removed or replaced if the participant becomes too warm or too cold.
- If exercising outdoors at night or in poor visibility, use brightly colored clothing and/or reflectors on shoes, bicycles or wheelchairs.
- Medications can alter the body's response to an exercise program. Individuals should be familiar with how their medication affects their participation in an exercise program or they need to consult their physician or health care provider about this.
- Weight bearing and joint flexing exercises must be done with caution by persons with significant contractures and/or loss of bone density.
© UCP Research and Educational Foundation, Exercise Priniciples and Guidelines for Persons with Cerebral Palsy and Neuromuscular Disorders