Cardio drumming supporting service users with their respiratory health

04 Dec 24

Service users with learning disabilities are benefiting from cardio drumming – a new initiative introduced to improve their respiratory health. Cardio drumming is a low-impact full-body workout that combines drumming with music and rhythm to improve cardiovascular health, balance, and coordination.

Two members of staff with sticks doing "cardio drumming" - banging gym balls in buckets

Nichola Roots, Physiotherapy Professional Lead For Learning Disabilities and Essex Learning Disabilities physiotherapy team, set up the sessions at our learning disability service based at Lexdon Hospital in Colchester and has seen the positive impact it has had on service users.

Nichola said: “We started cardio drumming 18 months ago as a fun and inclusive way for people to improve their respiratory health. We initially gathered some gym balls and buckets and sticks and followed videos of cardio drumming on You Tube. However, we found that the pace was too fast, so we started doing it ourselves.

“Everyone plays together and waits for each other to catch up so no one is left behind. Service users choose the songs they like and so this is what we go with!

“The group is mixed with some are standing, some sitting and some with carers. Everyone is facing forward so no one feels self-conscious. It is sociable activity and encourages people to move, lift their arms and breathe deeply – all within their ability levels.”

The sessions run weekly for a period of 10 weeks and the service now have matching balls, buckets and proper drumsticks, although some do use their hands.

Each service user has individual goals such as hand strength and balance and cardio drumming can help to meet those goals.

Nichola continued: “In learning disabilities, physio is about thinking outside the box. We want long term improvements and things that can be replicated and done at home or followed along on You Tube. Hopefully the service users will enjoy it and carry on.”

Service users have described it as “interesting and fun”, “felt good working out” and “it makes me feel happy and better in myself.”

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Cardio drumming supporting service users with their respiratory health