Special workout for victim of polio

Paul Zagaria · 03-17-2008, 04:26 PM

Has anyone ever attempted to train someone who was stricken with polio? We have a lady that wishes to work out in our gym that was stricken with polio as a child. With the pronounced limp she suffers from, she will obviously have a difficult time with many of the exercises (especially the balance, coordination, agility skills). Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Andrew H. Meador · 03-17-2008, 07:30 PM

I can't give any advice on the matter, but I wish you and her the best of luck. Let's keep this thread alive folks! That way somebody with specific knowledge on the matter will definitely see it.

Jerimiah Childress · 03-18-2008, 07:14 AM

You are right it will be difficult, but certainly doable. You are just going to have to really lower the challenge. Running will most likely be out at first, but that is probably easily substituted with rowing. More time will be spent on mechanics and even stretching to get the proper form for your basic movements. Some exercises may need to be excluded for quite sometime, but the programming can certainly be adapted. Feel free to post or even email me directly for more specific help.

Paul Zagaria · 03-18-2008, 08:28 AM

Thanks, Jerimiah. You sound like you may have some experience with this? Anythng more specific?

Jerimiah Childress · 03-18-2008, 08:52 AM

I don't have a lot of experience, but some. I am a physical therapist assistant. You will have to take alot of care to minimize damage to the joints affected by the weak muscles. For example this person will probably be doing step ups instead of box jumps for a while if not always, because of the lack of ability to protect the knee on landing. Special attention and modification may need to be made for squating and ultimately its progression, due to lack of muscle control. Once good form is established full ROM may take significant time to achieve and a smaller ROM may need to be acceptable for a period of time. It is all very dependent on how affected they are, body weight, etc. Hope that helps.

Paul Zagaria · 03-19-2008, 08:56 AM

Thanks for your help. If she follows through with working out, I'll let you know how it goes.

03-17-2008, 04:26 PM	#1
Paul Zagaria Affiliate Profile: Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Cleveland OH Posts: 38	Special workout for victim of polio Has anyone ever attempted to train someone who was stricken with polio? We have a lady that wishes to work out in our gym that was stricken with polio as a child. With the pronounced limp she suffers from, she will obviously have a difficult time with many of the exercises (especially the balance, coordination, agility skills). Any help would be greatly appreciated.

03-17-2008, 07:30 PM	#2
Andrew H. Meador Member Profile: Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Williamstown MA Posts: 917	Re: Special workout for victim of polio I can't give any advice on the matter, but I wish you and her the best of luck. Let's keep this thread alive folks! That way somebody with specific knowledge on the matter will definitely see it.
	Last edited by Andrew H. Meador : 03-17-2008 at 07:32 PM.

03-18-2008, 07:14 AM	#3
Jerimiah Childress Member Profile: Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Tulsa OK Posts: 375	Re: Special workout for victim of polio You are right it will be difficult, but certainly doable. You are just going to have to really lower the challenge. Running will most likely be out at first, but that is probably easily substituted with rowing. More time will be spent on mechanics and even stretching to get the proper form for your basic movements. Some exercises may need to be excluded for quite sometime, but the programming can certainly be adapted. Feel free to post or even email me directly for more specific help.

03-18-2008, 08:28 AM	#4
Paul Zagaria Affiliate Profile: Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Cleveland OH Posts: 38	Re: Special workout for victim of polio Thanks, Jerimiah. You sound like you may have some experience with this? Anythng more specific?

03-18-2008, 08:52 AM	#5
Jerimiah Childress Member Profile: Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Tulsa OK Posts: 375	Re: Special workout for victim of polio I don't have a lot of experience, but some. I am a physical therapist assistant. You will have to take alot of care to minimize damage to the joints affected by the weak muscles. For example this person will probably be doing step ups instead of box jumps for a while if not always, because of the lack of ability to protect the knee on landing. Special attention and modification may need to be made for squating and ultimately its progression, due to lack of muscle control. Once good form is established full ROM may take significant time to achieve and a smaller ROM may need to be acceptable for a period of time. It is all very dependent on how affected they are, body weight, etc. Hope that helps.

03-19-2008, 08:56 AM	#6
Paul Zagaria Affiliate Profile: Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Cleveland OH Posts: 38	Re: Special workout for victim of polio Thanks for your help. If she follows through with working out, I'll let you know how it goes.

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