Dealing with a chronic condition is a common thing in our world today. Many people suffer from illnesses like heart disease, arthritis, cancer, diabetes or asthma, all of which can make living an active life more difficult than it would be without these conditions. Unfortunately, nearly all chronic illnesses tend to introduce a variety of secondary issues to the mix. These comorbidities can further complicate day to day life for someone with an already tough-to-manage illness. Including daily physical activity into the routine can not only help make life easier, it can also help reduce or prolong the onset of comorbid conditions.
What is a comorbidity?
People who suffer from a chronic illness often deal with more than one health issue at a time. These concurrent conditions are referred to as comorbidities. These often long-term or chronic conditions might not always interact with each other, but may affect both physical and mental health either together or separately. This can also be referred to as having co-occurring or multiple chronic conditions.
Some common examples of comorbidities that one may have along with their primary health issue include:
- Hypertension
- Obesity
- Osteoporosis
- Cardiovascular disease
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- Respiratory disease
- Cerebrovascular disease
- Joint disease
- Mental health issues like dementia or depression
- Diabetes
- Arthritis
Exercise benefits those with chronic illness
An important part of managing a chronic illness and its comorbidities is maintaining a routine that includes some form of physical activity or exercise. It can help sufferers manage their symptoms and improve their health.
There are 3 kinds of exercise that someone with a chronic condition might benefit from:
1. Aerobic exercise
Improving heart health and maintaining a healthy weight are the hallmark results of a routine that includes regular aerobic exercise. Adjusting intensity levels during training can help maximize results without pushing too hard for too long. This interval training is usually safe and effective for most people with chronic conditions and can be as simple as walking or cycling at different speeds.
2. Strength training
Many chronic conditions are punctuated by a decline in muscle and joint strength, either from direct effects of the actual condition, or from a forced reduction in mobility. Regular strength training activities can help to improve muscle strength, which can help to slow any disease-related declines, improve joint stability and make it easier to move around in daily life.
3. Flexibility
Reduced motion due to chronic illnesses and their comorbidities can lead to a reduction in joint flexibility. Focusing on flexibility exercises during an exercise routine can improve balance, stability, range of motion and overall joint pain and inflammation.
A cycle trainer is the perfect exercise tool
When trying to manage a number of different chronic conditions and comorbidities it can be difficult to incorporate regular movement into daily life, especially when the conditions make this movement difficult. A cycle trainer has several features that will allow users to cater their routine to their varying needs.
Adjustable training modes – Even on days when muscles aren’t able to perform their best, the adjustable support modes can be tailored to suit the needs of the user.
Both arm and leg cycle training – When creating an exercise routine, it’s important to incorporate both upper and lower body work, in order to experience the most benefits. The MedUpV2 Cycle trainer has both an arm ergometer and a lower limb cycle option.
Spasm recognition – Many chronic physical illnesses have some level of spasticity side effects. A cycle trainer that can recognize these spasms and respond accordingly is the best way for a user to remain safe during exercise.
Exercise is an important part of chronic illness maintenance
Dealing with a chronic condition and its comorbidities is a difficult process for most people. The physical limitations that they may present can make life a struggle. Incorporating an active passive cycle trainer into an exercise routine is a safe and effective way to manage symptoms, improve health, maintain mobility and combat the likelihood of comorbidities.
