Many people with spina bifida have latex allergy. If this is the case, always check beforehand to make sure that the exercise equipment is not made of latex. Equipment manufacturers such as Thera-band® offer latex-free versions of their products.
Breathing - Breathe normally while performing the
exercises. Do not hold your breath at any time. To
make sure that you are not overdoing the exercise,
you should be able to maintain a normal
conversation throughout. If you are exercising alone, it is best to
count out loud while doing the exercise. A useful
technique is to slowly count 1-2 when performing the
exercise action, and count 1-4 when returning to the starting position.
Posture - Sit up tall with both feet planted firmly on
the floor.
Back Support - To make sure that your lower back is
supported, roll up a small towel and place it behind
your back.
Rest - Give your muscles a day's rest between
strength training sessions. Your muscles may feel
sore a day or two after you have started a new
exercise. IF you are sore, wait until soreness has
diminished before going back to strength training.
Consult with your doctor if the muscle soreness lasts
longer than two days. In addition, if muscle soreness
last 2-3 hours after exercise, you know you have
done too much. During the next exercise session,
decrease the number of repetitions, sets, or weight
until you find the right settings for you.
