Adherence
Engaging in physical activity appropriate to an individual's current activity level, health status, and physical function yields health benefits that generally outweigh the risks for people living with disability, with no major risks identified.
If you have a disability, you can and should be physically active. Start with small amounts of activity that feel safe for your current health and ability level. The health benefits you get from moving are greater than the risks. Gradually increase how often, how hard, and how long you exercise as you are able. Doing some activity is always better than doing none.
The guidelines stress that there are no major risks to people living with disability engaging in physical activity when it is appropriate to an individual’s current activity level, health status, and physical function and that the health benefits accrued generally outweigh the risks.
Why this rating
Based on systematic reviews and expert opinion (GDG) concluding no major risks, though specific high-certainty evidence for mortality was extrapolated.
Source
The First Global Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior Guidelines for People Living With Disability
Catherine Carty et al. · Journal of Physical Activity and Health · 2021
DOI 10.1123/jpah.2020-0629
More from this paper
- Limiting sedentary behavior and replacing it with physical activity of any intensity, including light intensity, provides health benefits for adults living with disability.Moderate
- Physical activity recommendations for the general population (60 minutes/day for youth, 150-300 min/week moderate or 75-150 min/week vigorous for adults) apply to people living with disability, with the caveat that activity should be appropriate to their specific condition and ability.Moderate
- Adults living with disability should undertake regular physical activity, including 150-300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75-150 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity per week, plus muscle-strengthening activities on 2 or more days a week.Moderate
Related findings · Adherence
- Regular physical activity (at least 150 minutes/week of moderate-intensity) reduces all-cause and cardiovascular mortality by 20-30% and lowers the risk of type 2 diabetes by 25-35%.Strong
- Increasing physical activity from a sedentary lifestyle to an active one in middle adulthood significantly reduces the risk of coronary events compared to remaining sedentary.Strong
- Resistance exercise is the only intervention capable of consistently restoring muscle function and strength in sarcopenia, partially overcoming age-related anabolic resistance.Strong
This is one finding among thousands. Every one is graded and traced to its source, so you can see what the evidence actually supports. Browse the research →