Finding Excellence In Exercise

Wheelchair courses make fitness more attainable

By Tammy Martinez
Photos: Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Department

In 1983, members of a local disability community helped bring a Wheelchair Accessible Heart Trail to John Prince Park, located in Lake Worth, Fla. In 2018—35 years after the original course was constructed—the community made renovations and additions to the now-called Wheel Course. Improvements included installing new equipment, widening pathways, making additions for children, improving parking and signage, and making repairs to paving and painting.

The nearly half-mile path was designed for individuals with physical and developmental disabilities to be active and connect with the community. The course allows participants to set their own pace with different exercise activities, encouraging them to progressively improve their health and bolster self-confidence.

Although the course is success-oriented, enough assistance should be provided to prevent users from becoming discouraged.  

A Tour Of The Course

Displayed at each station is an instruction sign on how to complete the exercise:

Station 1: Stretch

· Raise the arms forward to shoulder level and hold for as long as possible. Do this exercise once leaning against the back seat, and then without touching it. Then, grabbing both arms of the wheelchair, straighten the arms and raise your body off the seat. Lastly, raise arms to shoulder level and bend to the right and then to the left. Do the exercise first leaning against the backrest, then leaning forward.

Station 2: Stretch Touch

· Stretch as far as possible and touch the highest mark on the bar.

Station 3: Ring Pull-Up

· Pull your body up and swing in a circular motion to the left and right.

Station 4: Rope Climb

· Climb the rope as high as possible.

Station 5: Parallel Bars

· Hand walk on the parallel bars with arms stretched.

Station 6: Chin-up Bars

· Pull your body up to chin height on a bar.

Station 7: Obstacle Course

· Follow the arrows and proceed around posts forward and backwards.

Station 8: Overhead Ladder

· Pull your body up and move hand-over-hand from rung to rung.

Tunnel: The Finish Line

· There is no “activity” here in order to increase the sense of accomplishment and rest.

A Healthy Regimen

Regular physical activity is essential for people with disabilities, and is a form of medicine for some. Engaging in physical activity outdoors provides all the physical benefits of typical indoor exercise, but exposes people to nature, which has been shown to improve mental health and overall well-being.

The benefits of physical exercise for those with disabilities are no different than those for their able-bodied counterparts:

• Improves physical health—Helps maintain mobility; improves strength, flexibility, and health; reduces the risk of chronic conditions.

• Promotes mental health—When people maintain their fitness, it reduces symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress, and improves mood and well-being.

• Increases social interaction—Provides an opportunity to build relationships and interact with others, reduces the feeling of isolation, and increases social support. 

• Increases independence and quality of life—Greatly improves a person’s overall quality of life and the ability to perform daily activities, increases self-confidence, reduces reliance on others, and provides a sense of accomplishment and belonging.

From inclusive playgrounds and wheelchair-accessible facilities to adaptive sports programs and a variety of leisure pursuits, Palm Beach County provides a wide range of adaptable and inclusive leisure opportunities for more than 5,000 people with disabilities annually.

Tammy Martinez is a public-relations specialist at Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Department in Florida. Reach her at tmartinez@pbcgov.org.