How do I design an exercise program if I have physical limitations?
If you have physical limitations and you want to exercise, it's absolutely essential that you work with a physician to do that because the physician is going to understand what that physical limitation is, what risk factors come with it, and what are the potential consequences with time. So a person who has the physical limitation of arthritis in their knees, for instance, is going to have painful knees, limited range of motion in their knees. If I have a patient with the physical limitation of arthritis in their knees wants to participate in an exercise program, and I want them to, we have to do it safely so they're not putting their joints at risk of continued damage to the joint, and pick an appropriate exercise program that's not going to worsen their pain from their physical limitation. In the example of arthritis in the knees, an aerobic exercise program would be an excellent choice, not only for their cardiac benefit but also for their joints. But I wouldn't have them running on the road and pounding their knee joints. I would want to help them select an aerobic program with exercise where they are protecting the joints from further damage, not exacerbating their physical limitations. For instance, a reclining bicycle might be an excellent option.
