Physical Activity, A ”Wonder Drug”

According to the Center for Disease Control, the rates of obesity and high blood pressure in Kentucky are well above the national average. For Kentuckians with a disability, especially those with cognitive or mobility limitations the numbers are even higher. Adults with disabilities are three times more likely to have heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer. Physical activity helps to reduce the impact of chronic disease. Only ½ of adults with disabilities get the recommended thirty minutes a day.

In an effort to improve these numbers the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Education Assistant in Anderson County Kentucky provided a nutrition and exercise workshop to a group of young adults attending a Community Support and Day Training Center. Using upbeat music, balls and resistance tubes the group participated in chair based exercise classes. The SNAP Education Assistant thought by making physical fitness a fun and social activity the amount of time spent on physical activity would increase.

The results from this class showed 86% of participants improved by spending more time being active, doing exercises that included building strength and muscle and making changes to be more active. The most important change did not show up in the statistics, it was observed by the SNAP Education Assistant. A young lady who was part of this group historically resisted participation in any activity. She very quickly became interested in the balls and the resistance tubes and joined in the class to the point of helping to decide what exercises would be done.

Kentucky has a critical need for improving heart health and improving access to health promotion especially for individuals with disabilities. Being disabled does not have to equal poor health. Physical activity plays an important part in maintaining health, wellbeing, and quality of life.