The Spanish Society of General and Family Physicians recommends that chronic patients exercise at home despite the heat.
Arthritis, asthma, Alzheimer’s, cancer, COPD, Crohn’s disease, cystic fibrosis, diabetes… These are some of the chronic diseases most common.
In Spain, in 2021, according to data from the BDCAP of the Ministry of Healththere is 41,900,069 people with chronic pathologybeing 20,673,479 those that are in sanitary control.
We talk about patients old age most of them, who have to follow their treatments routinely throughout their lives.
But, in addition to their medicines and health checks, physical activity is essential for a good course of his disease, in the opinion of medical scientific societies, especially during these sweltering hot months.
According to him European Union Eurobarometer, almost half of the adult population in Spain acknowledges not practicing any physical exercise. And the figures increase among those people who suffer from a chronic pathology.
Because many of these patients consider that physical exercise is inadvisable because of their illnesses.
Nothing could be further from the truth. The Spanish Society of General and Family Physicians (SEMG) recommend that patients with chronic pathologies do physical exercise at home during the hot months, always supervised by expertsto improve their condition and gain functional autonomy without risking heat stroke.
Make physical activity compatible with the heat
Some cardiovascular diseases They are included in chronic diseases.
Well, a study recently published in the journal circulation confirms that people with cardiovascular diseases have an increased risk of mortality when exposed to elevated temperatures.
So, 1 in 100 cardiovascular deaths can be attributed to temperatures extreme.
This could make us think that with the high temperatures we are suffering this summer, the worst thing a cardiovascular patient can do is practice any type of physical exercise, but this is not the case.
The SEMG and the Institute #SaludsinBulos they assure that the practice of physical activity can be carried out without risk for health despite the extreme heat, as long as it is done at home and is prescribed by specialists.
1 in 100 cardiovascular deaths can be attributed to extreme temperatures
“The heat waves that we are suffering represent a risk to the health of vulnerable groups such as the chronically ill, but fortunately, today there are many options for exercising safely and healthily at home.
With a adequate ventilation and hydration, and performing the appropriate exercises, the benefits for these groups have been proven& rdquor ;, affirms the Dr Francisco Jose Saez Martinezcoordinator of the SEMG Chronicity Working Group.
But we are not only talking about chronic cardiovascular diseases, but about any other.
“In those most frequent and serious chronic diseases in our country physical exercise raises improvements.
In control of the diabetes It favors weight loss, due to the consumption of fat by the active muscle and provides a reduction in the insulin dose if sports practice is regular,” explains Dr. Sáez Martínez.
The practice of physical activity can be carried out without risk to health despite the extreme heat, as long as it is done at home and is prescribed by specialists
In addition, as the expert adds:
- Reduces the incidence of arterial hypertension and cardiovascular diseases.
- improves the heart function.
- Improves the quality of life.
- Reduces symptoms related to heart failure.
And this in the physical field, because, as Dr. Sáez Martínez recalls, “physical exercise has obvious psychic benefitsmaking the person feel better & rdquor ;.
10 Physical Activity Guidelines for Seniors with Chronic Illnesses
Having seen what has been seen, exercise is once again a fundamental tool for good health, even in the case of chronic patients.
But it cannot be done in any way, but prescribed and adapted to the patient by a specialist sanitary.
“It’s important to put attention on each person is unique and the exercise should always be adjusted to their individual physiological and pathological characteristics. In the same way, the recommendations can vary according to the specific medical condition & rdquor ;, comments the Doctor Pablo Berenguelhead of the SEMG Sports Medicine Working Group.
“Physical exercise has obvious psychological benefits, making the person feel better”
But, in any case, the experts from the SEMG and the Instituto Salud sin Bulos offer some recommendations to consider:
1. Medical supervision
First of all, it will be essential to go to the specialist and work on a plan of training adjusted to each patient.
2. Flexibility exercises
Normally, the table of exercises that chronically ill people can do at home includes exercises to improve flexibility.
Exercises to be done smoothly and slowly.
“You have to hold each stretch for at least 15-30 secondswithout bouncing and lending pay particular attention to areas with increased stiffness or tension muscular. Stretching is also advisable after warming up the muscles with light aerobic activity,” the experts explain.
3. Strength exercises with light weight
It is recommended to use light weights or elastic bands for all major muscle groups.
will be performed 2 to 3 series of each exercise, with 10 to 15 repetitions per series, until the patient gains strength.
4. Moderate intensity aerobic exercise
They are activities of Low impactsuch as, for example, walking through the rooms of the house, an exercise bike or dancing, performing at least 150 minutes of exercise moderate aerobic per week, distributed in sessions of at least 10 minutesavoiding activities that generate excessive impact on the joints.
5. Chair exercises
There are many exercises that can be done while sittingwhich can be helpful for people who have difficulty with mobility or balance (leg lifts, torso twists, and arm raises).
6. Breathing exercises and effort control
7. Pilates
This type of exercise focuses on the control of the body and breathingand can be of very low intensity.
There are variations of Pilates that can be done in a chair or on the floor with a mat, which is ideal for people with different levels of mobility.
8. Water exercises
If there is access to a poolaquatic exercises can be an excellent option.
Water provides resistance for a good workoutbut it’s also easy on the joints.
9. Balance and coordination games
Activities such as throw and catch a ball or balance games they can also be fun and beneficial.
10. Hydration
Finally, it is key drink water before, during and after exercise to avoid dehydration.