weight lifting

This board is for adults and teens to discuss issues relating to BPI since birth (OBPI).
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Mare
Posts: 708
Joined: Mon Mar 10, 2003 5:30 pm

weight lifting

Post by Mare »

Hi Everyone

Its been a while since I've posted Frankie is now 17 and has joined the local vol fire dept he thinks this is what he might choose as a career. Frankie came to me the other day and asked if he could join a gym with some friends and start working out he wants to build muscle, he's 6 ft and 200 lbs and pretty built as it is my only concern is if its safe I mean theres over use of the right side I know that but can there be damage done to the affected side from building up the oppsite side and does any one have any advise to share with him on the pros and cons of weight lifting hearing it from mom means nothing. Thanks Mare
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marieke
Posts: 1627
Joined: Fri Apr 01, 2005 6:00 pm
Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: LOBPI
no external rotation against gravity, can only go to 90 degree fwd flexion, no hand-to-mouth
1 surgery at age 14 (latissimus dorsi transfer). In 2004, at age 28 I was struck with Transverse Myelitis which paralyzed me from the chest down. I recovered movement to my right leg, but need a KAFO to walk on my left leg. I became an RN in 2008.
Location: Montreal, Qc, Canada
Contact:

Re: weight lifting

Post by marieke »

Hi Mare,
What Frankie should do is consult with a personal trainer, one who understands that he is limited on one side, who can help him do the right exercises/weights. He can do damage to BOTH sides if not done properly!
Marieke Dufresne RN
34, LOBPI
http://nurse-to-be08.blogspot.com
Mare
Posts: 708
Joined: Mon Mar 10, 2003 5:30 pm

Re: weight lifting

Post by Mare »

Thanks Marieke thats what I said specially since he had the mod quad just 3 yrs ago and i don't think many personal trainers in the gyms around here are qualified to help him I sent Dr Waters an email but still haven't gotten a reply. I'm trying to get through his thick head that even though he can do everything his friends can do it isn't always smart to do it.
Mare
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smith727
Posts: 60
Joined: Mon Dec 20, 2004 11:18 am

Re: weight lifting

Post by smith727 »

Gotta be careful about the rotator cuff on the injured side while doing presses... that's always been an issue with me.
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patpxc
Posts: 315
Joined: Sat Nov 03, 2001 1:06 am
Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: C-5 and C-6. Unable to supinate. Contracture elbow. Wrist bone underdeveloped.
Can raise forearm to mouth level. shoulder is limited in movement. Unable to put arm behind back. Secondary- early arthritis, carpal tunnel, pronator syndrome,scoliosis
Location: Ohio

Re: weight lifting

Post by patpxc »

Or any exercise done improperly. I have a torn rotator and bicep in the good arm. No idea how it happened--I think it wore out or I exercised wrong. Now the BPI shoulder is acting up. I would really spend the time to have a professional educate him on the right and wrong ways to lift weights--it could make a huge difference in preserving both arms while building strength.
Thanks
Pat
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cdmurfee
Posts: 113
Joined: Mon Feb 23, 2009 2:12 am

Re: weight lifting

Post by cdmurfee »

Use cables instead of free weights or machines, don't do any weights in the good arm heavier than the bad arm can do, and try to balance out pushing/pulling exercises in the upper body. For me, pulling tends to be much harder. Also, lift very slowly, and try to have symetrical form, dictated by the bad arm. Momentum is not your friend, but smooth controlled movements are. Also, just realize that there are certain things one of your arms just can't do. I can't do a shoulder press at all with the left arm, so I just don't do them. Developing your body unproportionately will only exaggerate the problems associated with BPI.

-Chris 25/LOBPI
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patpxc
Posts: 315
Joined: Sat Nov 03, 2001 1:06 am
Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: C-5 and C-6. Unable to supinate. Contracture elbow. Wrist bone underdeveloped.
Can raise forearm to mouth level. shoulder is limited in movement. Unable to put arm behind back. Secondary- early arthritis, carpal tunnel, pronator syndrome,scoliosis
Location: Ohio

Re: weight lifting

Post by patpxc »

That makes a lot of sense. I was using a machine that I hooked my Erb's arm to and lifted with my good arm. It did loosen up the Erbs a little, but destroyed the other arm. I'm ready for 2 bionic arms!!!!
aaron09
Posts: 5
Joined: Fri Aug 13, 2010 5:17 pm
Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: crused injury to th bp. had surgery involving nerve grafts. nerves taken from my right side. surgery done in st. louis mo., at washington university.

Re: weight lifting

Post by aaron09 »

not a very good idea because the good arm already takes on much resposability as is and because of that he is more susceptible to arthritis carple tunnel and tendanitis.woking out is good but keep it light and try to stick to the cables. try to use both arms too because the bad arm mirrors the good arm and helpes to keep good form. if he has a physical therapist he should talk to them on what exercises to do and if he doesn't he should look into it they do help!
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