Framing new pathways in transformative exercise for individuals with existing and newly acquired disability

Abstract

Purpose: This paper describes a continuum of customized exercise options for people with an existing and newly acquired disability or diagnosis referred to as the Transformative Exercise Framework. Background: The period directly after rehabilitation is a critical juncture where many individuals return to life with high rates of sedentary behavior. After rehabilitation discharge, people with newly acquired disability or diagnoses often never make the transition into usage of community-based exercise services that are tailored, safe and effective. Methods: Narrative review. Results: The Transformative Exercise Framework supports a patient-to-participant, rehab-to-wellness model that emphasizes a linkage between physical and occupational therapists and community-based exercise trainers. The four focus areas – Rehabilitation, Condition-specific Exercise, Fitness and Lifetime Physical Activity – emphasize a range of options for people with newly acquired disability and diagnoses, or for people with existing disability and/or chronic health conditions who have a new injury, secondary condition or are severely deconditioned. Conclusion: The concept of transformative exercise is to support people with disabilities and diagnoses with a seamless restore–improve–prevent continuum of programs and services. This continuum connects individuals to rehabilitation and exercise professionals in a dynamic framework, which maximizes the expertise of both sets of professionals and provides the most effective interventions to achieve the greatest gains in health and function and/or to avoid future health decline.Implications for RehabilitationPatients discharged from rehabilitation should be transformed into participants in lifelong physical activity through a continuum of health services, which we refer to as Transformative Exercise.Transformative exercise is a continuum of individually tailored exercise strategies/programs that aims to improve the function of underperforming systems, which inhibit community and/or lifelong physical activity participation.The Transformative Exercise Framework can be used by a therapist or exercise trainer to design a program that maximizes performance and time and is based on a specific process for identifying short and long term goals.

Proposing an Ecological-Transactional Framework for Exercise Behavior in People with Disability

“…In addition, in accordance with Rimmer and Lai's suggestion (J. Rimmer & Lai, 2017), we recommend that increasing institutional capacity should link healthcare practitioners and exercise professionals to facilitate the transition of people with disability from medical patient to exercise participant.…”

“…Exercise, as a subset of physical activity, can lessen DALEEDS by improving individuals' physical conditioning thus allowing them to participate in major life roles; including leisure time or recreational physical activities (Rimmer, Chen, McCubbin, Drum, & Peterson, 2010). Dr. Rimmer's recent work has proposed a framework whereby those with disability must be supported in their transition from rehabilitation patients to community participants via linking two complimentary allied health fields (Rimmer & Lai, 2017). The Transformative Exercise Framework (TEF) identifies exercise program participation following primary care as a necessary step in enabling participation in major life roles, and ultimately, minimizing the risk of secondary health conditions and development of chronic disease for people with disability.…”

“…Even with potential limitations for long-term sustainability, the TEF specifies linking rehabilitation care to exercise programs as one specific strategy within these populations (J. Rimmer & Lai, 2017).…”

Disability and rehabilitation on the move: mobility, exercise and sports for people with physical disabilities

“…Psychosocial factors and impact related to exercise and sports, as well as ethical considerations towards adapted sports were given specific attention during the congress and can be found in this special issue. Rimmer and Lai [8] present the Transformative Exercise Framework to support people with disabilities to transition from being patient to participant and from perceiving exercise as a mode of rehabilitation into means for wellness. Hoekstra et al [9] described the current state of affairs regarding integration of sports and physical activity in rehabilitation care in the Netherlands, indicating that promising steps are being made but also indicating room for improvement.…”

Efecto de un programa de actividad físico deportiva sobre la salud de personas con daño cerebral adquirido en fase crónica

“…Para este fin existen centros especializados, si bien su oferta es insuficiente para la cantidad de demandantes, y la necesidad de nuevas propuestas para el colectivo de DCA crónico que continúe el proceso de reintegración en la comunidad es evidente (García et al, 2007;Rimmer y Lai, 2017).…”