The Effect of a 6-week Non-contact Exercise Program on Body Composition and Physical Fitness in Persons with Physical Disabilities Using Wheelchairs

Abstract

PURPOSE This study investigated the effect of a 6-week non-contact exercise program on body composition and physical function of physically disabled persons who used wheelchairs. METHODS Twenty-two physically disabled individuals using wheelchairs (n [females]=15, mean age=49.4±8.9 years) were recruited and divided into an exercise group (n=11) or a control group (n=11). Participants in the exercise group performed a 1-hour-long exercise program twice a week, for 6 weeks, with an exercise instructor through a real-time video conferencing application. Height, weight, body mass index, waist circumference, blood pressure, and muscle strength and range of motion were measured at baseline and after the exercise program. RESULTS Compared with that in the control group, waist circumference in the exercise group significantly decreased after the 6-week exercise program. In addition, range of motion of the shoulder significantly improved in the exercise group, compared with the control group, after 6 weeks. CONCLUSIONS The non-contact exercise program yielded beneficial effects on the waist circumference and range of motion of muscles in disabled individuals using wheelchairs. A follow-up study is needed to verify the long-term effect of the exercise program, which may be achieved by randomizing a large number of people with disabilities.

Keywords

• non-contact exercise program
• wheelchairs
• persons with disabilities
• body composition
• physical fitness