While talking of fatigue, and again in response to a posting on Andrew Farrow's fine SCI blog.
On the subject of shoulders, etc. I have been increasingly aware of two distinct schools of thought.
1. Don't strain your shoulders. They will give out and you will be further impaired. Avoid lifting, transfers, pushing up hills, sometimes all pushing is discouraged. I have even read recommendations that paras, even low level paras should use powerchairs to save on wear and tear.
2. The body is a machine. The best way to keep a machine working properly is to use it properly. Pushing a wheelchair does cause shoulder problems. But often these problems are made worse by the uneven development of the shoulder. Because pushing is narrow range of movement, the muscles in the shoulders become unbalanced. This often causes long term wheelchair users to develop rolled shoulders, almost a stooped look.
Professor Brian Andrews at Brunel who was instrumental in starting the FES rowing programme described how one of the many benefits of rowing comes from the action being pretty much opposite to the action of pushing a wheelchair. This can help the muscles in the shoulders to develop a more balanced shape, and also by strengthening the muscles it can help to prevent wear and tear on the joints themselves.
I tend to find from experience that the less I do, the less I am able to do. If I lead a sedentary life for a few days, I have less energy, more pain, slower bowel function and a lower mood.
Able-bodied people in their fifties are not encouraged to walk less in order to preserve their hips. While pushing and transferring are quite extreme movements, if the shoulders are kept strong and used reasonably cautiously I would expect them to last longer than if they are not used.
Ultimately, only time will tell.
On the subject of shoulders, etc. I have been increasingly aware of two distinct schools of thought.
1. Don't strain your shoulders. They will give out and you will be further impaired. Avoid lifting, transfers, pushing up hills, sometimes all pushing is discouraged. I have even read recommendations that paras, even low level paras should use powerchairs to save on wear and tear.
2. The body is a machine. The best way to keep a machine working properly is to use it properly. Pushing a wheelchair does cause shoulder problems. But often these problems are made worse by the uneven development of the shoulder. Because pushing is narrow range of movement, the muscles in the shoulders become unbalanced. This often causes long term wheelchair users to develop rolled shoulders, almost a stooped look.
Professor Brian Andrews at Brunel who was instrumental in starting the FES rowing programme described how one of the many benefits of rowing comes from the action being pretty much opposite to the action of pushing a wheelchair. This can help the muscles in the shoulders to develop a more balanced shape, and also by strengthening the muscles it can help to prevent wear and tear on the joints themselves.
I tend to find from experience that the less I do, the less I am able to do. If I lead a sedentary life for a few days, I have less energy, more pain, slower bowel function and a lower mood.
Able-bodied people in their fifties are not encouraged to walk less in order to preserve their hips. While pushing and transferring are quite extreme movements, if the shoulders are kept strong and used reasonably cautiously I would expect them to last longer than if they are not used.
Ultimately, only time will tell.
A recent study of septuagenarians ( might of used the word for 'very old fishtank by mistake')showed that when removed from a nursing home enviroment and left to fend for themselves many of them had 'throwing away the walking stick' moments after a few weeks. It would seem that taking part in life is what keeps us healthy more than genetic predisposition. I would rather be viewing the world from a mountaintop with knacked shoulders than sat indoors staring at the walls. - C