About this Research Topic
Humans evolved to be mobile within the boundary conditions of Earth and many biological and physiologic systems depend on mechanical loading to maintain integrity during growth and maturation, during skeletal maturity, and during the aging process. These systems subscribe to the “use it or lose it” principle and thus, require continual use to maintain integrity. Given that premise, considerable basic and clinical research efforts have been directed at optimizing the effectiveness and positive impact of exercise on sports performance and the well-being of those with intact systems. However, those with disabilities or compromised abilities also benefit from exercise protocols, and there exists a need to focus attention on these populations as well.
Given the myriad of biological and physiological systems that benefit from exercise and mechanical loading, there is a need for all humans of varying abilities to not only maintain the integrity of their health, but to attempt to optimize it recognizing that optimizing each person’s health across the stages of the life cycle may require different exercise protocols dependent on stage of life, sex, genetics, and other individualized variables. For those with physical disabilities, embracing and maintaining such exercise protocols may be challenging, but expanded research, translation of findings, and integration of the outcomes into everyday life to enhance the health and well-being of this significant population are needed going forward.
The goal of this Research Topic is to focus original articles, reviews, and perspective papers on the exercise and physical activity needs of those with physical disabilities where progress is being made but gaps in our knowledge base still need to be filled. Particular emphasis on topics related to those with physical disabilities such as spinal cord injuries, cerebral palsy, amputees, compromised abilities due to chronic diseases, and other variables are encouraged, as well as those related to specific stages of the lifespan. Studies comparing those with and without disabilities will also be entertained.
● Manuscripts may be original results of basic and clinical studies, short or comprehensive reviews, or perspective articles focused on relevant topics.
● Specific themes to be addressed include optimizing activity protocols for those with physical disabilities such as spinal cord injuries, cerebral palsy, amputees, those with chronic diseases that limit the mobility of both lower and upper extremities, those limited as a result of trauma, and those affected by conditions of aging.
● Topics focused on specific stages of the life cycle, sex differences in function, and environmental or societal factors are also welcome and will be considered.
Given the myriad of biological and physiological systems that benefit from exercise and mechanical loading, there is a need for all humans of varying abilities to not only maintain the integrity of their health, but to attempt to optimize it recognizing that optimizing each person’s health across the stages of the life cycle may require different exercise protocols dependent on stage of life, sex, genetics, and other individualized variables. For those with physical disabilities, embracing and maintaining such exercise protocols may be challenging, but expanded research, translation of findings, and integration of the outcomes into everyday life to enhance the health and well-being of this significant population are needed going forward.
The goal of this Research Topic is to focus original articles, reviews, and perspective papers on the exercise and physical activity needs of those with physical disabilities where progress is being made but gaps in our knowledge base still need to be filled. Particular emphasis on topics related to those with physical disabilities such as spinal cord injuries, cerebral palsy, amputees, compromised abilities due to chronic diseases, and other variables are encouraged, as well as those related to specific stages of the lifespan. Studies comparing those with and without disabilities will also be entertained.
● Manuscripts may be original results of basic and clinical studies, short or comprehensive reviews, or perspective articles focused on relevant topics.
● Specific themes to be addressed include optimizing activity protocols for those with physical disabilities such as spinal cord injuries, cerebral palsy, amputees, those with chronic diseases that limit the mobility of both lower and upper extremities, those limited as a result of trauma, and those affected by conditions of aging.
● Topics focused on specific stages of the life cycle, sex differences in function, and environmental or societal factors are also welcome and will be considered.
Keywords: physical activity, Lifespan, Disabilities, Sex Differences, Compromised Abilities
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
