Experiences - JP Fitness Forums

Luke Denley · 06-12-2007, 04:07 PM

Does anybody have any experiences with training someone who is in a wheelchair? My client is on the Canadian wheelchair basketball team. He can get in and out of his chair by himself. I have some ideas but I am wondering if anybody here has actually done this type of training before?

Luke

karky · 06-13-2007, 05:56 AM

It would probobly help if you stated what his handicap is.

Luke Denley · 06-13-2007, 11:38 AM

As stated, he is in a wheelchair and that is the only information I have at this point. I am assuming that as he is in a wheelchair he does not have use of his legs. He does however have full use of his upperbody. Hope that helps.

LisaS · 06-13-2007, 11:59 AM

He is going to be the expert on his condition, so you might want to wait until you have a chance to interview him, learn his goals and his limitations, see if he has anything specific that needs work. I would think it would be different if he had a one-time spinal injury that has now stabilized vs. if he has a degenerative condition that could be expected to eventually target his trunk and upper body as well.

Luke Denley · 06-13-2007, 12:15 PM

Thanks Lisa. I will be meeting with him today, for the first time, so if I find out anything new I'll be sure to post it.

Luke Denley · 06-13-2007, 04:00 PM

Update after meeting with him today:

He has nerve damage steming from a viral infection. He has some feeling in his thigs but can feel nothing below that. He has nerve damage on the left side of his abdomen which makes it somewhat difficult for him to stabilize his upperbody in a sitting position, but not imposible. He also can not get full extension of his elbow on his left side but he is within an inch or so of full extension so it is not that bad. The last two fingers on his left hand do not function on their own so it makes griping a bit of an issue but he can manually close his fingers over the dumbell and they sort of lock in place.

He is able to do pushups, assuming we have something that he can rest his knees on. He is unable to keep his legs straight or support them when the hip and knee are at full extension. He is also able to perform chinups and with extra weight.

Hopefully this will give people a better idea of the situation and any insights would be greatly appreciated

Thanks

Jean-Paul · 06-13-2007, 07:20 PM

I had a similar client early in my career. Without sounding to simplistic, find out what he can do, then do it.

Is there a possibility of him regaining control or is this his accepted permanent condition?

By the way, I really admire that you are so willing to take on a challenge like this. It says a lot about you as a trainer and a person.

Luke Denley · 06-13-2007, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jean-Paul

I had a similar client early in my career. Without sounding to simplistic, find out what he can do, then do it.

Is there a possibility of him regaining control or is this his accepted permanent condition?

By the way, I really admire that you are so willing to take on a challenge like this. It says a lot about you as a trainer and a person.

thanks JP! That's basically what I spent todays session doing. I tried a whole bunch of things with him and some we were able to do and some, not so much.

He is an awesome guy though. He is very willing to try things and is very comfortable with his condition. Unfortunatly for him I believe it is a permanent thing, but I am no doctor so that is just a guess.

He wants to gain upper body mass and strength. he weighs in at a buck twenty right now and is the smallest guy on his team. I see him twice a week and he does basketball training 3 or so times a week for 2 hours. Gaining size is going to be a challenege

The hardest part for me was trying not to say anything to stupid about his condition. :p

Jean-Paul · 06-14-2007, 04:46 AM

Quote:

The hardest part for me was trying not to say anything to stupid about his condition.

Don't worry about that. He will feel so much more comfortable with you if you let down your guard and be candid with him. Just express that you are committed to his success, and that it may take some time to get fully acquainted with his capabilities and limitations. Anyone would have the same challenge, even someone with experience. The only way you become good is by taking it on and being patient.

Luke Denley · 06-14-2007, 06:54 AM

thanks for the advice

RedLefty · 06-14-2007, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jean-Paul

He will feel so much more comfortable with you if you let down your guard and be candid with him.

That's an awesome tip.

Chris D · 06-14-2007, 03:26 PM

This brings back a few memories.

I grew up with a kid who had a fused neck and then fell out of a tree and was a paraplegic. He was very athletic before his accident and continued to be so afterwards. Mainly in the aspect of wheelchair racing. He would do the road races around the country and was slated to make it to the para olympics but decided that "illegal" activities were more to his liking. About once a year he'd play in a charity wheelchair basketball tournament.

Any how...JP gave some great advice. Additionally never underestimate what he can do!