Fitness and health are import aspects of a persons wellbeing. People experiencing motor impairment can, and do, exercise whether its by participating in organized activities such as sports, or in solitary movement such as calisthenics or yoga. Some require therapeutic measures while others enjoy the sensations of feeling fit or the pleasure of recreation. The key is finding a way to engage in sustained movement that provides form, support, stability, movement and balance to the bodys musculoskeletal system.

Most children with Cerebral Palsy live well into adulthood. With that happy development, however, is the notion that adults with Cerebral Palsy should maintain the highest level of health and fitness possible.

If a person cultivates a nutritionally-sound, rested, and active lifestyle, they are destined for a healthier path.

Because Cerebral Palsy is non-progressive, the impairment will not advance but could improve with treatment, therapy or surgical interventions. However, the stress and strain on a persons body as it functions with impairment from day-to-day can lead to premature aging, osteoparosis and arthritis.

The aging process can be compounded by the effects of secondary conditions (i.e., pain levels due to inactivity) and unrelated health concerns (i.e., broken hip due to fall), not to mention the natural progression of the aging process.

Other health concerns that affect everyones health smoking, drug use, unhealthy sleep patterns, inactivity levels, obesity, and such should be kept at bay.

As is the case for all, a healthy dose of sleep, exercise, fitness and nutrition can thwart the advancement of disease and further disability.

As a person ages, he or she develops health concerns that might be minor inconveniences. These are a healthy part of living a long life that everyone is prone to.

An adult with Cerebral Palsy, even if he or she has a mild to moderate case, may age prematurely due to the stress and strains placed on the bodys musculoskeletal system the system that provides the body with much needed support, stability and movement is the vary system that is largely affected in individuals with motor impairment.

It is for these reasons that a person with Cerebral Palsy will need to prioritize their overall health starting when they are young. For most, early intervention and physical therapy is a staple during childhood. As a child grows, surgical interventions, adaptive equipment and drug therapy are also common.

But physical health often suffers when health insurance coverage stops, therapies are discontinued, government assistance is reduced, or education plans no longer warrant. Children transitioning into adulthood have not been conditioned to maintain physical health, much less worry about the impact of inactivity on the aging process later in life.

Granted, avoiding the pitfalls of an unhealthful lifestyle isnt going to change the physical effects of a persons Cerebral Palsy, but maintaining health and fitness will help to safeguard against premature aging. An active and healthy lifestyle that includes exercise and proper diet will be rewarded with increased mobility and dexterity later in life.

As people get older, they often develop conditions that are considered chronic as opposed to acute. An aging body is less able to respond to physical stress, which means that a variety of conditions are at play. This is true for all.

The consequences of premature aging with a condition such as Cerebral Palsy can be cause for concern. Take, for example, a person that walks with an irregular gait. Stress on the limbs may, over time, hasten the development of conditions like arthritis. When this occurs, it can impede a persons ability to ambulate. Further stresses on a persons system that are secondary such as pain levels my further accelerate physical declines. And, inactivity can lead to weight gain, diabetes and health disease, for example.

When secondary conditions are present, they can complicate a persons life in the following ways:

When a persons health becomes compromised after they have worked hard to improve their physical capabilities earlier in life, its often a source of great distress. However, its a normal part of aging for the most part, and with the right preventative health measures, functional dysfunction can be eliminated or mitigated. Proper diet, exercise, and healthy sleep patterns apply to all.

As a person approaches their overall health and well-being, its always helpful to know that there are fixes for many secondary conditions.

Just because a person has a disability or impairment does not mean he or she is unhealthy. For that reason, a person with Cerebral Palsy should seek health care that treats the whole body.

The bodys ability to rebound from injury and illness becomes strained over time. Its a part of life that everyone that is lucky enough to age will experience at one time or another. The more a person has an eye on their health, however, the healthier he or she will be. Its a personal choice with long-term ramifications.

The failure to adhere to a regular exercise program and a nutritionally-sound diet has consequences, some of which will exacerbate a persons disability. Even if a person does maintain a healthy lifestyle, some secondary conditions will develop, such as:

There are no shortcuts around maintaining a high level of health its all about engaging in an active lifestyle to the highest extent possible, eating right and maintaining healthy sleep patterns.

Often, people with Cerebral Palsy believe they cannot lead an active lifestyle, but exercise levels are relative to our abilities. Every day, people with a disability engage in sports, take part in group exercise classes, participate in therapeutic sessions, or enjoy solitary fitness regimens. Theres no reason most people with Cerebral Palsy cant find something that works for them; its a matter of finding an activity that is structured, sustainable and enjoyable.

Exercise programs that will greatly affect a persons health in a positive way help reduce stress on the heart, which helps to lengthen a persons lifespan. For adults, its recommended that 30 minutes of activity, at least five days a week, is sufficient to maintain health.

The goals of an exercise program should be to:

Some exercises that can help people maintain a high level of fitness include:

A persons impairment may also dictate daily routines to maintain spasticity, thwart contractures, or maintain muscle tonality.

It is believed that every individual should sleep a sound 6 to 8 hours a day on a consistent basis in order to take advantage of the bodys ability to heal at rest.

The other piece of the health puzzle is a balanced diet. The role of eating right cannot be overstated it helps people keep their weight at a healthy level, which is especially important if a person has significant mobility limitations. The nutrients provided by healthy foods power our bodies and our brains; they give people the energy needed to lead productive lives. Likewise, poor diet choices or unhealthy eating patterns can place undue strain on an otherwise, healthy person.

A healthy diet consists of lean proteins, fresh vegetables, whole grains, fruits, milk and a limited amount of fat. Of course, trans fats such as the ones found in snack foods should be avoided.

If a person has dietary concerns or feeding abnormalities common in individuals with oral-motor dysfunction he or she should consult with a registered dietician for suggested meal planning, diets and food preparation.

Another suggestion for maintaining health is meditation and relaxation. A simple 30-minute meditation gives people a chance to relax and reflect on the future. The health benefits are numerous, and include reducing stress, and encouraging happiness and spirituality.

Health practitioners recommend at least six to eight hours of uninterrupted sleep. But, too much sleep, or too little, combined with extremely low energy levels can be cause for concern, possibly signs of depression or anxiety.

From the time adults with Cerebral Palsy are diagnosed, therapies and medical treatment become second nature. Just because that person is an adult, to most peoples chagrin, those interventions shouldnt cease.

Ways that a person can maintain both his or her health include:

Maintaining good health can be a challenge that sometimes not within reach. There will be days when a person overeats, or decides not to exercise. Thats not unusual its human.

The best way to stay motivated is to take transgressions with a grain of salt and move on. Meeting fitness goals requires and understanding of what works for the individual its not about mimicking what works for someone else. Once a person finds the preferred balance of activities, exercise regimen, fitness routines, sleep and relaxation, and proper diet that work best for him or her, its becomes easier to maintain sufficient energy and motivation. It can actually be a reward, in and of itself.

Some tips for staying motivated include:

One factor that can hamper progress is when expectations are unrealistic. Its not reasonable to expect that a person can run a marathon after training for a week. When expectations arent realistic, it can be demotivating. If this occurs, try making smaller, attainable goals. Short-term goals, once met, can lead to long-term rewards.

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