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Staying Healthy
Taking up adaptive sports
Don’t let a physical disability or limitation stop you from staying active.
- By Matthew Solan, Executive Editor, Harvard Men's Health Watch
Regular exercise is a prescription for staying healthy and active as you age. But sometimes it’s not that easy. Many older adults face an injury, illness, health condition, or disability that makes activities difficult, if not seemingly impossible. If you are in this category, adaptive sports could be a welcome opportunity.
"Eventually, almost everyone will experience some kind of disability that impedes regular exercise, whether it’s mild arthritis, a joint problem requiring knee or hip replacement, limited vision, or a more significant physical disability," says Dr. Cheri Blauwet, an associate professor in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Harvard Medical School and a former wheelchair racer, who is a seven-time Paralympic medalist and winner of both the Boston and New York City marathons.
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About the Author
Matthew Solan, Executive Editor, Harvard Men's Health Watch
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