Why Amputee Fitness Is So Important
Fitness for Amputees is crucial because once you loose a limb, you also start loosing muscle mass on that remaining limb and the entire side of the body because of lack of muscle use. If amputees don’t do fitness exercises and stay active, they will risk of having one side of the body more developed than the other. Not just that but this could also lead to other problems like balance and appearance. Therefore amputee fitness is very important. Don’t be a couch potato.
I have a short forearm at the right, just below the elbow. Because nobody ever told me about the muscles imbalance in my body I developed scoliosis and finally I got neck and shoulder pain at the good side of my body in 2001. The first diagnosis was RSI, neckpain was the next and finally the chiropractor found out I had scoliosis in 2005.
With the help of the chiropractor, by doing fitness and some other things I am free of pain again. You can read my story on my website.
I think your website which encourages people to do fitness is really a good thing. One thing I know, I will never ever stop doing fitness. And I think it is important that others should know what limb difference can do in the rest of the body. That is very important.
Kind regards
MyoArm
What is your reference for “losing muscle mass on that whole side of your body”? Not sure that’s true…also, the risk is not having an “undeveloped” side, but lack of muscle balance for performance of daily activities and recreation.
It is a scientifically proven fact that one of the main causes of muscle atrophy is the disuse of the muscles. This is very common among amputees, people with paralysis or people that are bed ridden for various other reasons. I am not sure what reference you need. All you have to do is google. I have been an upper arm amputee for over twenty years now. Before I started working out my left side of the body was nearly twice as big as the right. I couldn’t even sleep on my back comfortably. My shoulders looked lopsided. I used to feel so much weaker on the right side of the body. After I started lifting weights, I was able to increase my muscle mass on my right side significantly. Now my both sides are even and almost equally strong. I am able to do push ups, pull ups and lift weight up to 80 lbs
with my residual limb. I am not sure what you are referring to as “not true”. You are clearly making my point. Atrophy causes muscles to weaken and under develop. Weak and underdeveloped muscles result in “lack of muscle balance for performance of daily activities and recreation.”