Tailoring Programs for Different Disabilities: Power, Speed, Mobility, Balance

Introduction

Every person living with a disability has different strengths, challenges, and goals. That’s why exercise under the NDIS is never a matter of “one-size-fits-all.” Instead, it’s about identifying which physical qualities — power, speed, mobility, or balance — matter most for daily life, and then building a program that supports them in a safe and sustainable way.

At Chronic Gains, we’ve seen this across our community in Bankstown and the wider Sydney region: two participants may share the same diagnosis but have very different needs. One may need explosive leg power to stand more easily from a chair. Another may need better mobility to dress independently. Someone else may need balance training to reduce their risk of falls.

The art of tailoring programs lies in knowing which qualities to focus on, and how to train them in a way that’s both safe and meaningful. In this blog, we’ll explore how Accredited Exercise Physiologists adapt programs for different disabilities — targeting power, speed, mobility, and balance to help participants move with confidence, independence, and purpose.

Power — Building Strength That Translates to Daily Life

When we think of power, we often imagine athletes sprinting or weightlifters moving huge loads. But in exercise physiology, especially for people living with disability, power has a much more practical meaning: the ability to produce force quickly enough to complete a task.

Power is what helps someone rise from a chair, step up a curb, or catch themselves if they trip. Without it, movements become slow, laboured, and sometimes unsafe. For NDIS participants, training power can mean the difference between relying on assistance and being able to act independently.

How We Train Power Safely

The key to power training isn’t about lifting the heaviest weights — it’s about controlled, purposeful movement that matches each participant’s capacity. For example:

• Sit-to-stand practice: Starting slowly, then building toward standing with more speed and control.
• Medicine ball throws or band punches: For participants who need upper-body power, such as pushing a wheelchair more efficiently.
• Step-ups: Beginning with low, stable platforms and progressing to higher or less supported options.

Adapting for Different Disabilities

• Spinal cord injury (partial mobility): Focus on explosive arm movements (like band pushes) to improve wheelchair propulsion.
• Stroke recovery: Bilateral exercises that emphasise quick force production on the weaker side, always under careful supervision.
• Older adults with disability: Low-load, fast-paced movements like chair rises to preserve independence in daily tasks.

💡 Why it matters: Power declines faster than strength with age or inactivity. For many NDIS participants, even a small improvement in power translates into huge functional gains — like getting up without help, or reacting quickly to prevent a fall.

At Chronic Gains, we use power training as a tool not just for physical strength, but for confidence. Every time a participant learns they can rise faster, push harder, or move with more control, they gain a little more trust in their own body.

Speed — Reacting Faster, Moving Smarter

Speed isn’t always about sprinting or racing. In exercise physiology for disability support, speed means being able to react quickly and move efficiently — whether that’s taking a step to catch your balance, reaching out to grab a support rail, or turning fast enough to navigate through a busy space.

For many NDIS participants, slower movement isn’t just inconvenient — it can increase the risk of falls, reduce independence, and make daily tasks frustrating. That’s why safe speed training is an important part of a personalised program.

How We Train Speed Safely

Speed is best developed through short, controlled bursts of faster movement, always tailored to the individual’s ability. Examples include:

• Reaction drills: Using verbal or visual cues to prompt quick steps, turns, or reaches.
• Arm-drive exercises: Practicing faster pushes or pulls with resistance bands to support wheelchair users.
• Timed tasks: Encouraging participants to complete functional activities (like sit-to-stand) with a focus on both speed and form.

Adapting for Different Disabilities

• Parkinson’s disease: Quick, exaggerated movements (like big steps) can help counter the tendency toward slow, shuffling gait.
• Autism or intellectual disability: Speed tasks are paired with clear cues and structured environments to reduce anxiety and build confidence.
• Multiple sclerosis: Drills may emphasise energy-efficient speed — moving quickly for short bursts without causing fatigue.

💡 Why it matters: Speed training isn’t about racing; it’s about responsiveness. A participant who can react half a second quicker may prevent a fall, grab a rail in time, or move more smoothly through crowded environments.

At Chronic Gains, we see speed as the bridge between strength and safety. By learning to move faster — in a way that’s safe and achievable — participants gain not just physical ability, but the reassurance that they can handle unexpected challenges in daily life.

Mobility — Keeping Joints Free and Movement Comfortable

Mobility is often confused with flexibility, but it’s more than just stretching. Mobility is the ability to move a joint freely and with control through its full range of motion. For people living with disability, mobility often makes the difference between moving comfortably or moving with pain, between relying on others or being able to act independently.

Stiff joints and restricted muscles can affect everything from dressing and bathing to reaching for items in the kitchen. Left unaddressed, limited mobility can also contribute to pain, contractures, and even greater loss of function over time.

How We Train Mobility Safely

Mobility work combines gentle stretching with controlled, functional movements. Examples include:

• Dynamic stretches: Slow, repeated leg or arm swings to prepare for walking or reaching.
• Assisted range-of-motion exercises: Helping participants move joints they can’t fully control on their own.
• Task-based mobility: Practicing reaching, bending, or twisting in ways that directly connect to daily activities.

Adapting for Different Disabilities

• Cerebral palsy: Focused hamstring and calf stretches help manage spasticity and support smoother walking patterns.
• Spinal cord injury: Shoulder mobility is prioritised to reduce strain from wheelchair propulsion.
• Arthritis: Gentle, low-impact movements to ease stiffness and protect joints from further pain or inflammation.

💡 Why it matters: Mobility underpins almost every other quality of movement — from power to balance. A joint that moves freely makes exercise safer and more effective, while reducing the effort needed for basic daily tasks.

At Chronic Gains, we see mobility training as protective medicine. It keeps the body resilient, reduces pain, and opens up the possibility of moving with ease in everyday life. For many participants, even small improvements in mobility mean big wins in independence.

Balance — Stability for Safety and Confidence

Balance is one of the most overlooked but critical physical qualities for NDIS participants. Good balance isn’t just about standing still — it’s about maintaining stability while moving, adjusting to changes in the environment, and reacting quickly when something unexpected happens.

Without solid balance, everyday activities like showering, getting dressed, or navigating the community can feel unsafe. More importantly, poor balance dramatically increases the risk of falls, which can lead to injury, hospitalisation, and loss of independence.

How We Train Balance Safely

Balance training is highly adaptable. It can range from very gentle exercises to more advanced drills, depending on the participant’s needs. Examples include:

• Static balance drills: Standing with feet close together or on one leg while holding a support.
• Dynamic balance tasks: Stepping over obstacles, walking on uneven surfaces, or catching a ball while moving.
• Dual-task training: Combining balance with another activity, such as carrying an object or responding to cues, to mimic real-life challenges.

Adapting for Different Disabilities

• Stroke recovery: Balance work is paired with gait training to rebuild confidence in walking.
• Multiple sclerosis: Exercises are modified for fatigue management, with plenty of rest breaks.
• Vision impairment: Training includes environmental awareness and tactile feedback to build stability.
• Older adults with disability: Fall-prevention strategies are embedded into every session.

💡 Why it matters: Balance gives participants confidence in motion. It reduces fear of falling, encourages more independent living, and supports community participation.

At Chronic Gains, we treat balance not just as a physical skill, but as a foundation for freedom. When participants know they can trust their body to stay upright and steady, they gain both safety and self-assurance — the confidence to move through life on their own terms.

Conclusion: Building the Qualities That Matter Most

Power, speed, mobility, and balance may sound like athletic terms, but for NDIS participants they’re the building blocks of daily independence. Each quality serves a unique purpose: power makes standing possible, speed keeps you responsive, mobility reduces pain and stiffness, and balance protects you from falls.

We at Chronic Gains, Our Accredited Exercise Physiologists don’t train these qualities in isolation or with generic programs. We tailor every exercise to the individual — adapting for specific disabilities, adjusting for daily energy levels, and always linking training back to what matters most in real life.

Because when exercise is personalised, it stops being about sets and reps. It becomes about making coffee without pain, standing to cook a meal, walking safely in the community, or gardening with confidence.

That’s the heart of our approach: movement as medicine, no guesswork, and support that makes sense. By targeting the qualities that matter most, we help participants reclaim their strength, independence, and joy in everyday living. Contact us now to reclaim you Independence.