Exercise Therapy and Chronic Health Conditions
Study shows improvements in life quality.
Exercise is often recommended for people with a single chronic health condition such as heart disease or type 2 diabetes; in fact, it’s proven to be helpful in up to 26 chronic health conditions. But what about using “exercise therapy” for those with multiple health challenges?
University of Southern Denmark researchers conducted a study to determine if “exercise therapy”— programs designed for specific therapeutic goals to restore normal physical function or reduce symptoms—is helpful for people with more than one chronic condition. In the United States, these exercise plans are considered to be medically based fitness programs and can be designed by fitness pros who have relevant additional training.
Researchers evaluated 23 studies from 17 nations with more than 3,300 subjects. Data analysis showed that exercise therapy improved quality of life and physical function and reduced depression and anxiety. And it didn’t increase the risk of adverse events or accidents.
What do study authors recommend? Exercise programs that include both cardiovascular and resistance training, performed at least two to three times a week, can be considered as a treatment option for people with multiple chronic conditions.
The study is available in the British Journal of Sports Medicine (2021; 55 [18].
Shirley Eichenberger-Archer, JD, MA
Shirley Eichenberger-Archer, JD, MA, is an internationally acknowledged integrative health and mindfulness specialist, best-selling author of 16 fitness and wellness books translated into multiple languages and sold worldwide, award-winning health journalist, contributing editor to Fitness Journal, media spokesperson, and IDEA's 2008 Fitness Instructor of the Year. She's a 25-year industry veteran and former health and fitness educator at the Stanford Prevention Research Center, who has served on multiple industry committees and co-authored trade books and manuals for ACE, ACSM and YMCA of the USA. She has appeared on TV worldwide and was a featured trainer on America's Next Top Model.
