Abstract
According to the Center for Disease Control there are many variables that can affect exercise program adherence. In this special population case study we follow Annie Wakefield a 62-year-old female that volunteered for an 8-week fitness program, Community Fitness Partners. Annie contracted poliomyelitis at the age of 5 that left her with paraplegia and 30% of function in her right leg. She used crutches for 50 years resulting in a left shoulder injury, which has made her wheelchair dependent for 6 years now. PURPOSE: The client’s goal was to strengthen her upper body (especially her left shoulder) and core muscles to prepare for ski season. The purpose of the program was to improve function and establish regular exercise adherence. METHODS: The initial meeting included a goals assessment, pre-exercise health screening and baseline health and fitness measures.. Annie filled out a Physical Activity questionnaire assessing levels of physical and sedentary activities. Her training program focused on chest, back, biceps, triceps, shoulders, core and relaxation techniques at the end of each one-hour session. Annie worked with her Community Fitness Partner twice per week for 8 weeks. RESULTS: Annie’s vitals included: resting blood pressure 131/79mmHg, resting heart rate 69bpm, weight 61.2kg height 1.3M, and BMI 23.5. Because of Annie’s limitations we started with a low resistance band progressing to medium and high ending with the 3lb weights. Annie was successful in strengthening her left shoulder based on the exercises we gave her using muscular endurance. Annie progressed to moderate physical activity 30 minutes a day for 5 days a week. Her physical activity levels increased (more housework, longer walks) and her sedentary activity decreased; indicating exercise adherence. The greatest accomplishment Annie experienced was the increase in self-confidence in her overall well-being and confidence to complete a program. CONCLUSION: Due to both physical and mental obstacles, Annie’s exercise program focused on improving task-specific self-efficacy. By progressing her exercise program gradually it increased Annie’s ability to improve her strength for activities of daily living. Results support previous studies where physiotherapy improved or stabilized muscle strength and function. Resistance training was effective in improving function and thus adherence in a post-poliomyelitis individual.
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