Physical activity

Encouraging children to be active when they are young will help to establish routines that can stay with them throughout their life

Physical activity helps:

  • improve fitness, balance and co-ordination
  • maintain and develop flexibility
  • increase muscle strength and improve posture
  • help achieve and maintain a healthy weight
  • improve mood, help with relaxation and reduce stress
  • help with constipation
  • provide opportunities for friendships, independence and improved self-esteem.

It is common for many children living with Spina Bifida to use a wheelchair for sports or physical activity, even if they do not use a wheelchair for day-to-day mobility.

Fitness and injury prevention

The fitter your child is, the more they will enjoy being active. They will also be less likely to suffer from injury. 
To improve physical fitness, it is recommended that your child has at least one hour (and up to several hours) of moderate to vigorous physical activity every day.

A combination of moderate and vigorous (鈥渉uff and puff鈥�) activities is recommended. Children need the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities that are fun and suit their interests, skills, and abilities.

Warmups
A 5- to 10-minute warmup will help prepare the body for the activity. 
The warm-up should include:

  • Stretching activities
  • Some continuous movements for 2 to 3 minutes. For example, arm and upper body movements
  • Movements or games related to the activity

Cool downs
A 10-minute cool down should also follow the activity. This will remove waste products from the muscles so that they do not become sore and stiff. 
The cool down should consist of:

  • Some continuous movement for 2-3 minutes. For example, slower chair pushing or running
  • Stretching the muscles that were used in the activity

Building strong upper body and limbs
Physical activity can help to build strong bodies. Children with Spina Bifida need strong arm and upper back muscles to help with:

  • Balance
  • To move or transfer from their wheelchair
  • To walk using equipment
  • To propel their wheelchair

Physical activity for younger children with spina bifida

Physical activity for younger children with spina bifida can include:

  • swimming
  • crawling through tunnels or over a mat or pillow
  • hitting a large beach ball
  • batting a suspended ball with a small plastic racquet
  • squeezing sponges in the bath
  • playing with water pistols or water spray bottles
  • push ups lying on their tummy
  • playing wheelbarrow.

Physical activity for older children with spina bifida

Physical activity for older children with spina bifida can include:

  • pushing their wheelchair over a distance
  • sports such as basketball and tennis
  • walking the dog
  • swimming
  • using a bike with hand pedals
  • rowing, canoeing and paddling

Strength exercises, contact sports and electronic media

Parents should encourage their children to include muscle strengthening exercises at least two days each week as part of their physical activity routine.

Contact sports such as football, and activities that involve extreme extension of the back and neck such as gymnastics should be avoided. Rolling activities and jumping from heights should be avoided if your child has a shunt.

Children should not spend more than two hours a day using electronic media for entertainment, particularly during daylight hours. Children living with Spina Bifida do not have normal sensation. Burns and abrasions can occur easily from rough and/or hot surfaces. See the Skin care page for more information. 

If your child has poor walking balance, a wheelchair can be successfully use for sport, games, and other physical activities at home, school, and the community.

Disability sports organisations