GP exercise programming

GP Exercise programming.

People often think of exercise as something just for fit people but exercise isn't just for the healthy, and if you have an underlying health condition it is likely that your doctor will still want you to exercise regularly.

Fortunately, exercise isnt a one-size-fits-all prescription, so your doctor will be able to tailor an exercise programme to fit your condition. You will need to start with a physical exam, and based on the results of this, a safe level of exercise can be determined, based upon your health and the stage of your disease.

There are three basic types of exercise:

• Flexibility Training: This will help you to become more flexible, and can be a big factor in preventing injuries.

• Strength Training: Strength training will tone your muscles and strengthen your bones.

• Cardiovascular Training: Also known as aerobic or cardio training, this includes all those activities that raise your heart rate and strengthen the cardiovascular system your heart and lungs. Depending on your health, this includes everything from running, biking or swimming through to lower intensity activities such as gentle walking, gardening, or dancing.

There are various factors that anyone exercising with a health condition should consider.

These include:

• Start out Slow: Everyone, no matter how fit they are, should start out slow and gradually build up over time.
• Don't overdo it: No pain, no gain is not the way to exercise safely. Exercising too hard will set you back, not build you up.
• Be aware of your medication: Exercising can effect your medications, and vice versa. Talk to your doctors about your exercise routine if they are looking to change your medications.
• Be aware of the effects of the weather: Be careful of extremes of weather whether it is very cold, very hot or very humid. If you are sensitive to this, exercise indoor at these times.
• Avoid extremes of heat after exercising: It is also important to avoid extremes such as hot or cold showers or sauna baths after you exercise.

In summary.

Just because you have a chronic illness doesnt mean you cant exercise. Although you will have to take certain precautions, exercise can offer the same benefits it does to everyone, improving your quality of life, helping you to feel better, even helping in the treatment of your illness.