Training—It's All About Options

Getting the most out of your workout may mean thinking outside the box.

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U.S. Paralympics Wheelchair Rugby National Team member Bryan Kirkland has been doing functional training for more than a year and says it helps him perform better in sport and in his job at Home Depot.

Function is defined as "the kind of action or activity proper to a person, thing, or institution; the purpose for which something is designed or exists; role."

In the fitness community, "function" is a common buzzword used to describe a method of training that involves working muscles in a particular way to achieve optimum sport-specific performance. It is a comprehensive approach to training that addresses all performance components necessary to achieve success in any activity. You may initially think this is not an effective tool for people with a disability, but it is absolutely possible for wheelchair athletes to include this specialized training in their fitness routine and be successful for recreation or competition.

Athletes train using many different modes and methods of strength and conditioning. This may include strength training with weights, cardiovascular work, interval or sprint work, nutrition, sports psychology, injury prevention, cross training, or pool workouts.

Strength and conditioning can be an option for anyone with any amount of physical limitation. In fact, "limitation" is not limitation at all if adaptation is available. This article will show you how functional training can be incorporated into the programs of elite and recreational wheelchair athletes to help them achieve top physical condition. Though you may think functional training isn't possible at the fitness facility you use, you'll learn these exercises are so adaptable you can work them into your routine regardless of where you train.


The authors are with Lakeshore Foundation in Birmingham, Ala. Heather Pennington is the certified strength and conditioning specialist and Susan Katz is communications coordinator.

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