Need for Physical Exercise

Extra-ambulatory activities and their use in the treatment of amputated individuals have received-considerable publicity. Initially motivated by a per sonal drive for physical accomplishment, many pa tients have discovered unsuspected levels of perfor mance. It is this high level of performance, combined with the sense of personal accomplishment, that has captured the public's attention. The purpose of this article is to examine the need for physical exercise among amputees in hopes of making such activities the norm rather than the exception in rehabilitation and daily activities. To better under stand the physical limitations imposed on the am putee and their effect on exercise, the following areas will be discussed: 1. Need for physical exercise among amputees. 2. Areas of limitation. 3. Factors in extra-ambulatory prosthetic design