To exercise or not to exercise, that is the question.  At least
it's a question that has concerned me.  In the Fall issue of
Accent on Living (a mag for disabled that most of you are
probably acquainted with), there are interesting related
comments by Fred Maynard, M.D., himself a pp.  < ...we've
learned that exercise is not as likely to be harmful to polio
survivors as was first thought.  This has turned out to be an
over-exaggerated fear.  Not that it didn't have some foundation.
Anyone just can't go full steam ahead like athletes, especially
since you've had polio.  But by the same token there is probably
more danger in not participating in adequate exercise and
activity to maintain your muscle strength and vitality in
general health.  Maintaining a high level of activity, the right
kind and amount, is terribly important even though it gets
progressively more challenging as you get older.  The studies
show you can strengthen post polio muscles that have gotten
weaker; you can gain some strength again with the right kind of
exercise.  You can improve endurance, but it is tricky.  That's
not saying we are doing a 180 degree reverse as one speaker
said.  You have to bring your lifestyle activity into balance
with your physical capacities.  It is when you are expecting
more out of your body than your body is capable of giving;
that's when you are getting into trouble.> I hope this excerpt
from an interview will be as helpful to some of you as it has
for me.  Now, on another matter.  I know a young man who has
recently suffered severe damage to the spinal cord and is now
cuadraplegic.  Understandably, his frame of mind is not good.  I
would like to be able to provide him with some reading matter
that might be helpful to him.  Do any of you know of any
publications relating to those in his condition and/or to the
caregivers?  ----- Charles McBride
..AND..
  From : BOLLENBACH@APOLLO.COMMNET.EDU            
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Michael writes: "What's the consensus of opinion these days on exercise?"
Well...Isometric exercise that does not produce pain or fatigue should
be ok. When you overdo it you will know. Stay away from endurance/
aerobic type exercise where you are using polio affected muscles.
There is a problem with too little exercise too. My rule of thumb is
to try something...If it causes problems cut it in half.......
I think when pps first appeared the medical community working with it
proscribed exercise of any type. Now there is a consensus building that
the proper exercise is good. Lauro Halsted has a scale where he tests
muscle strength and then prescribes exercise that depends on the degree
of damage.
If it hurts when you do that; don't do that.     ......Eddie
P.S. Swimming is excellent...In a warm pool. It takes the weight off
and it is very easy to work only the stronger muscles.
AND...
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In-Reply-To:  
Michael,
To exercise or not is a very controversial subject. The controversy stems
from making blanket recommendations for what should be individual based.
Every polio survivor is unique and should have recommendations for
exercise based on their unique situation. The conerstone of an exercise
recomendation should be based on the following factors:
1) The initial polio effects (ie: degree of initial involement and state
of recovery.)
2) Current status of involved and "non-involved" muscles as determined by
symptoms, Manual Muscle Testing (MMT), and selective EMG (electromyelogram).
Dr. Lauro S. Halstead, MD (a polio survivor) from the National
Rehabilitation Hospital, Wash. DC, is currently prescribing exercises
based on a rating scale for each limb. For example, if a survivor
right arm is not antigravity and their left limb is used to compensate
for the right then Dr. Halstead would consider the left limb as probably
in normal daily use "exercising" as much as the limb should.
Other physcians are determining the status of a muscle group via the EMG
an instituting exercises at 50% of the maximum and progressing up to the
maximum if possible. The key being avoiding pain and fatigue.
The point I'm trying to make is that improper exercise may damage polio
affected muscles. And for some of us maintaining range of motion maybe
the only and best exercise we should be doing.
Find a Physiatrist (an MD specializing in physical med and rehab) that is
knowledgeable and experienced in managing polio survivors for assistance.
Good Luck,
Dennis Lang
END OF QUOTES ON EXERCISE.... Tom...
 * WCE 2.1G1/2037 * Megahertz--when something is really painful.
--- WILDMAIL!/WC v4.12 
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