The evidence
Strength training for wheelchair users: what the research says
Peer-reviewed guidelines recommend regular strength training for disabled adults, including people with a spinal cord injury, stroke survivors and people with MS. This page summarises what the research found, in plain English, and shows the movements Versatrain makes possible.
The benefits below come from exercise and strength training. Versatrain enables the movements; it does not treat any condition.
Benefits of exercise for disabled adults
UK and World Health Organization guidelines recommend that adults, including disabled adults, do muscle-strengthening activities on at least two days a week, alongside regular aerobic activity.
Strength work for the major muscle groups you can use counts. Seated cable exercises are one way to do it.
UK Chief Medical Officers (2019). UK Chief Medical Officers’ Physical Activity Guidelines. Department of Health and Social Care. Source Reference to verify before publishing
World Health Organization (2020). WHO guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour. World Health Organization. Source Reference to verify before publishing
Movements that build on this
Strength training after spinal cord injury
Evidence-based guidelines for adults with a spinal cord injury recommend strength exercises for each major functioning muscle group, twice a week, alongside aerobic exercise, to improve fitness and muscle strength.
Rows, pulldowns and presses work the major upper-body muscle groups from a seated position.
Martin Ginis KA et al. (2018). Evidence-based scientific exercise guidelines for adults with spinal cord injury: an update and a new guideline. Spinal Cord. doi:10.1038/s41393-017-0017-3 Reference to verify before publishing
Movements that build on this
Strength training after stroke
The American Heart Association and American Stroke Association recommend that stroke survivors include muscle strength and endurance training in a regular exercise routine.
Single-arm movements let you work each side at its own level.
Billinger SA et al. (2014). Physical activity and exercise recommendations for stroke survivors: a statement for healthcare professionals from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. Stroke. doi:10.1161/STR.0000000000000022 Reference to verify before publishing
Movements that build on this
Exercise and MS
Recommendations for people with MS advise regular aerobic and resistance exercise, adapted to the individual, starting gradually and building up over time.
Short sessions with adjustable resistance make it easier to start small and progress.
Kalb R et al. (2020). Exercise and lifestyle physical activity recommendations for people with multiple sclerosis throughout the disease course. Multiple Sclerosis Journal. doi:10.1177/1352458520915629 Reference to verify before publishing
Movements that build on this
Shoulder health in wheelchair users
In a randomised controlled trial with manual wheelchair users with a spinal cord injury and shoulder pain, a home programme of shoulder strengthening and movement optimisation reduced shoulder pain compared with a control group.
Pulling movements such as face pulls and rows balance the pushing your shoulders do every day.
Mulroy SJ et al. (2011). Strengthening and optimal movements for painful shoulders (STOMPS) in chronic spinal cord injury: a randomized controlled trial. Physical Therapy. doi:10.2522/ptj.20100182 Reference to verify before publishing
Movements that build on this
References
- UK Chief Medical Officers (2019). UK Chief Medical Officers’ Physical Activity Guidelines. Department of Health and Social Care. Source Reference to verify before publishing
- World Health Organization (2020). WHO guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour. World Health Organization. Source Reference to verify before publishing
- Martin Ginis KA et al. (2018). Evidence-based scientific exercise guidelines for adults with spinal cord injury: an update and a new guideline. Spinal Cord. doi:10.1038/s41393-017-0017-3 Reference to verify before publishing
- Billinger SA et al. (2014). Physical activity and exercise recommendations for stroke survivors: a statement for healthcare professionals from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. Stroke. doi:10.1161/STR.0000000000000022 Reference to verify before publishing
- Kalb R et al. (2020). Exercise and lifestyle physical activity recommendations for people with multiple sclerosis throughout the disease course. Multiple Sclerosis Journal. doi:10.1177/1352458520915629 Reference to verify before publishing
- Mulroy SJ et al. (2011). Strengthening and optimal movements for painful shoulders (STOMPS) in chronic spinal cord injury: a randomized controlled trial. Physical Therapy. doi:10.2522/ptj.20100182 Reference to verify before publishing
This page is general information, not medical advice. Check with your clinician before starting a new exercise programme.
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