- The ARC - California Edition -

Physical Fitness -- Health Promotion

The fitness movement in this nation is well established within some components of the general public. But if you are a person that requires help even performing the basic daily tasks, participating in a regular physical program to keep yourself fit is probably way down the priority list of things for you to do.

What is "physical fitness" and why an article on it in The Prevention News? The second question is the easiest to answer. About two or three years ago, both the national and California Arc Prevention committees expanded their areas of interest to add "Health Promotion". Physical fitness is very key to good health for anyone - regardless of disability.

Physical fitness could be defined as being able to conduct the day's chores without becoming exhausted or tired. Lacking an ongoing effort to maintain muscle strength, endurance, and flexibility, you lose the ability to transport oxygen to your bodies muscles. You start losing energy. Fatigue, arthritic pain and low back problems become the norm. Way too often a person with a disability is not on a planned program for physical fitness. This of course is where a local Arc can help. The Arc of the US has recently published a monograph entitled "Aging, Mental Retardation and Physical Fitness". Get a copy, read it, and develop a plan of action for your local Arc.

A good physical fitness level - regardless of the disability - can assist a person maintain their quality of life and can reduce their dependence on others to help with activities of daily living.

{Aging, Mental Retardation And Physical Fitness, November 1997, The Arc of the US, 500 E. Border St., Suite 300, Arlington, Texas, 76010, (817) 261-6003}