Are Mobility Scooters the Best Solution For Seniors With Reduced Mobility?
Mobility scooters seem to be growing in popularity.
There are ads on TV showing everybody how great they are and what easy it is to get one.
And when you search them on the internet, there are quite a bunch of sites praising them and selling them.
But there are only a few voices out there speaking of the dangers mobility scooters come with.
Most times senior citizens would get a mobility scooter because they have difficulty walking.
Their upper body is still functional for most of them, even if it is less strong than it used to be.
When they start using a mobility scooter, not only their lower limbs, but their upper body as well is forced into a harmful sedentary state.
And from this point on, they lose whatever strength they have left in their body, put on weight and become more prone to various health problems.
So, as convenient as it may sound, a mobility scooter may, in many cases, not be the best solution.
And the same things apply for a powered wheel chair.
It is vitally important to keep the body moving -whatever parts can still move- throughout all phases of life.
Shifting from walking (which is great exercise) to using a mobility scooter or a powered chair will most probably lead to a weight gain, since far less calories will be burned.
And even if weight gain does not happen, becoming inactive will cause your body to atrophy (lose precious muscle), will increase your risk of various diseases and shorten your life span.
What are the alternatives? One solution would be to get a manual wheelchair.
Maneuvering a wheelchair involves considerable use of the shoulders, arms and even hands, which provides great exercise.
And, at the same time, manual wheelchairs are designed to be easily rolled about and maneuvered by people with limited upper body strength.
Another great idea is to start using the GlideCycle, a trainer that is very easy to use and most beneficial for seniors.
The GlideCycle or GlideTrak offer seniors the opportunity to exercise without putting strain on their hurting joints and ligaments.
It is impressive to see people testify how the GlideCycle has changed their life, by giving them back their mobility.
There are ads on TV showing everybody how great they are and what easy it is to get one.
And when you search them on the internet, there are quite a bunch of sites praising them and selling them.
But there are only a few voices out there speaking of the dangers mobility scooters come with.
Most times senior citizens would get a mobility scooter because they have difficulty walking.
Their upper body is still functional for most of them, even if it is less strong than it used to be.
When they start using a mobility scooter, not only their lower limbs, but their upper body as well is forced into a harmful sedentary state.
And from this point on, they lose whatever strength they have left in their body, put on weight and become more prone to various health problems.
So, as convenient as it may sound, a mobility scooter may, in many cases, not be the best solution.
And the same things apply for a powered wheel chair.
It is vitally important to keep the body moving -whatever parts can still move- throughout all phases of life.
Shifting from walking (which is great exercise) to using a mobility scooter or a powered chair will most probably lead to a weight gain, since far less calories will be burned.
And even if weight gain does not happen, becoming inactive will cause your body to atrophy (lose precious muscle), will increase your risk of various diseases and shorten your life span.
What are the alternatives? One solution would be to get a manual wheelchair.
Maneuvering a wheelchair involves considerable use of the shoulders, arms and even hands, which provides great exercise.
And, at the same time, manual wheelchairs are designed to be easily rolled about and maneuvered by people with limited upper body strength.
Another great idea is to start using the GlideCycle, a trainer that is very easy to use and most beneficial for seniors.
The GlideCycle or GlideTrak offer seniors the opportunity to exercise without putting strain on their hurting joints and ligaments.
It is impressive to see people testify how the GlideCycle has changed their life, by giving them back their mobility.
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