Exercise and Physical Activity
Every Minute Counts!
Exercise is a cornerstone for managing lymphoedema but it is sometimes difficult to stay motivated to meet the recommended exercise guidelines. New thinking suggests that short bursts of exercise contribute to the overall benefit.
In the Summer 2019 edition of Canada’s Lymphedema Magazine Pathways an excellent article by Kevin Repato, Personal Trainer and Margie McNeely, Physical Therapist explores physical activity guidelines.
“The new thinking is that, when it comes to physical activity, everything counts, even short bursts of exercise. The message now is to seek out any and all opportunities to move during the day and add in short bursts of higher intensity activity. For example, you could walk more briskly to a meeting or take the stairs to add short bursts of exercise into your day.”
How about motivating your clients by getting them to track their steps?
Many people have smartwatches, GPS trackers and fitness trackers but if not it doesn’t have to cost a fortune and a simple pedometer can make the difference.
Wearing a pedometer is an effective motivator to encourage you to get up and get active.
Pedometers available from Lymphactive
Easy to use
Keeping track of your steps with Lymphactive Pedometer is simple and manageable. Just clip it on your waist and go.
Counting every step you take
The Lymphactive Pedometer is a great way to record your steps and keep you motivated.
Walking tips
Read some great tips to help get your clients walking with a downloadable flyer on walking benefits and tips to distribute to your clients – https://lymphoedemaeducation.com.au/2017/03/staying-active-lets-go-walking/
Further reading
Other articles you might find of interest
- Prescribing exercise in the treatment of cancer – World First Position Statement on Exercise in Cancer Care
- Effects of exercise during chemotherapy on chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: a multi-center, randomized controlled trial.
- Motivating our clients to exercise
- The effectiveness of a clinical and home-based physical activity program and simple lymphatic drainage in the prevention of breast cancer-related lymphedema: A prospective randomized controlled study.
- Bridging the gap: incorporating exercise evidence into clinical practice in breast cancer care.
- Effects of weight-lifting or resistance exercise on breast cancer-related lymphedema: A systematic review.
- Does the speed of aquatic therapy exercise alter arm volume in women with breast cancer related lymphoedema? A cross-over randomized controlled trial.
- Complex Therapy Physical alone or Associated with Strengthening Exercises in Patients with Lymphedema after Breast Cancer Treatment: a Controlled Clinical Trial.
- Effects of exercise on the quality of life in breast cancer patients: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.
- ‘A good stepping stone to normality’: a qualitative study of cancer survivors’ experiences of an exercise-based rehabilitation program.
- Factors associated with physical activity of breast cancer patients participating in exercise intervention.
- How to Exercise Better
