The Effect of a 6-week Non-contact Exercise Program on Body Composition and Physical Fitness in Persons with Physical Disabilities Using Wheelchairs

PURPOSE: This study investigated the effect of a 6-week non-contact exercise program on body composition and physical function of physically disabled persons who used wheelchairs.METHODS: Twenty-two physically disabled individuals using wheelchairs (n [females]=15, mean age=49.4±8.9 years) were recruited and divided into an exercise group (n=11) or a control group (n=11). Participants in the exercise group performed a 1-hour-long exercise program twice a week, for 6 weeks, with an exercise instructor through a real-time video conferencing application. Height, weight, body mass index, waist circumference, blood pressure, and muscle strength and range of motion were measured at baseline and after the exercise program.RESULTS: Compared with that in the control group, waist circumference in the exercise group significantly decreased after the 6-week exercise program. In addition, range of motion of the shoulder significantly improved in the exercise group, compared with the control group, after 6 weeks.CONCLUSIONS: The non-contact exercise program yielded beneficial effects on the waist circumference and range of motion of muscles in disabled individuals using wheelchairs. A follow-up study is needed to verify the long-term effect of the exercise program, which may be achieved by randomizing a large number of people with disabilities.