In a world where chronic diseases are becoming increasingly prevalent, personal training has gained significant importance. Chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis can significantly impact a person's quality of life. However, you don’t have to undertake the journey toward effective management alone. Personal training, often associated with fitness and weight loss, can be a valuable ally in managing the symptoms and progression of these conditions. Our trainers at EW Motion Therapy can tailor exercise programs to your goals, keeping in mind current conditions and adapting exercises safely. Our personal training might not suit you, but you can read on to learn:
- How chronic diseases affect healthy movement
- How personal training can help you stay active
- How personal trainers can work with other healthcare professionals
How can chronic diseases affect healthy movement?
Chronic diseases are long-lasting conditions that often require ongoing medical attention and management. They can significantly affect an individual's daily life and have the potential to worsen over time if not properly managed. Let’s review some examples of common chronic diseases and how they can affect healthy movement patterns:
- Diabetes: A condition where the body's ability to regulate blood sugar levels is impaired. There are two main types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2. Type 1 diabetes requires insulin administration, while type 2 diabetes is often managed through lifestyle changes. Diabetes, especially when unmanaged, can lead to peripheral neuropathy, which affects nerve function, particularly in the extremities. This can result in decreased sensation, muscle weakness, and impaired coordination, making movement less fluid and potentially leading to falls.
- Heart disease: This includes conditions like coronary artery disease, heart failure, and hypertension. Heart disease can lead to severe complications such as heart attacks and strokes. Conditions like heart failure and coronary artery disease can reduce stamina and endurance. This may lead to breathlessness and fatigue during physical activities, limiting the capacity to maintain steady and prolonged movement.
- Arthritis: An umbrella term for various joint inflammations, rheumatoid or osteoarthritis can lead to pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility in affected joints, which can alter movement patterns and increase reluctance to engage in physical activities.
The role of personal training
While medical treatments and medications are crucial in managing chronic diseases, personal training can complement overall well-being. Here's how personal training can help:
- Tailored exercise programs: Personal trainers are skilled at designing exercise routines tailored to an individual's needs, considering their health condition, fitness level, and physical limitations. For instance, a person with arthritis might benefit from low-impact exercises that strengthen muscles surrounding the affected joints without exacerbating pain.
- Safe progression: One of the challenges in managing chronic diseases is avoiding overexertion or injury during physical activity. Personal trainers can guide individuals on the right intensity, frequency, and duration of exercises to ensure steady progress without risking health complications.
- Cardiovascular health: Many chronic diseases, including heart disease and diabetes, are closely tied to cardiovascular health. Personal trainers can design aerobic exercises that promote heart health, helping to control blood pressure, manage cholesterol levels, and improve overall circulation.
- Weight management: Maintaining a healthy weight is often crucial in managing chronic diseases. Personal trainers can create weight management strategies focusing on exercise and dietary adjustments. This can help individuals achieve and maintain a healthy weight, which is especially important for conditions like diabetes and heart disease.
- Stress reduction: Chronic diseases can bring about emotional stress. Under a personal trainer’s guidance, regular exercise can release endorphins that help reduce stress and improve mental well-being, which is particularly valuable for conditions like hypertension, where stress management is vital.
How do personal trainers work with other healthcare professionals?
It's important to note that personal training should never replace medical treatments or advice from healthcare professionals. Instead, it should be a complementary approach that works with medical guidance. Healthcare professionals such as doctors and physical therapists can provide valuable insights into an individual's medical condition and limitations. Personal trainers can then use this information to design safe and effective exercise regimens.
The journey of managing chronic diseases can be challenging, but it's a journey that you don’t have to go on alone. Personal training offers a holistic approach to health management by tailoring exercise programs, promoting cardiovascular health, aiding in weight management, and reducing stress. Remember, the key lies in finding a qualified personal trainer who understands your unique needs and collaborates closely with your healthcare team. With the proper support and guidance, you can take proactive steps towards better health and improved quality of life. Our personal trainers and physical therapists at EW Motion Therapy work together in-house to ensure a continuum of care and a safe progression for all our clients. If you are curious about which of our programs suits you, click the button below to answer the questions in our program match tool and receive personalized recommendations.
