When you hear the term sports you probably think basketball, baseball, soccer or perhaps tennis. When you browse fitness you may envision intense daily workouts in a gym. As a person who has a muscle disorder you might not be able to take part in these activities. The actual advantage; your joints will become more secure and you will be less likely to have joint issues and pain.

Here are some benefits of being physically fit:

• It raises your energy level
• It boosts your mood and mindset
• It helps your body adapt to even routine activities

Some factors when considering becoming active:

Your present fitness level and goals

• Do not compare yourself to other people. This is all about you and not your peers. How comfortable are you with physical activity? Exactly like a car, you cannot start off at 55 mph. You will want to work your way through the gears. Everyone must start at zero and work up at different prices. You’ll get there! Have you got some limitations? An honest evaluation of your fitness level can allow you to achieve your goals faster. What would you like to do by being active?
• Create a list: Is your target total health or weight management? Or do you only want to play sports with your friends? Try setting some goals (fitness goals in this case) to give you something to work towards; you can create a plan and chart your progress, so you know when you have accomplished your objectives.
• Use the R.I.C.E. protocol (Rest, Ice, Compress, and Elevate).
• Speak with your treatment team about your treatment choices and to ascertain when you’re able to continue certain physical actions.

So you have decided to get active, but now what?

For much of your life you may have been told you cannot do certain activities. Knowing these risks can help you create your own decisions about what physical activities are ideal for you. Perhaps you will decide not to participate in a contact or collision sport like baseball or football since you know the probability of serious injuries to the head, neck, and spine is high–and, naturally, a neck brace (or mind bleed) would put a serious damper on your social life. If tennis is the right sport for you consider visiting a tennis store for your sporting needs, or perhaps visit your local tennis shop in Melbourne for the right type of equipment you are looking for. When selecting a sport or exercise regimen, it is important to consider your physique, beyond sport injury history, and the status of your joints. There is no one-size-fits-all answer. Before beginning an activity, talk to your hematologist and physical therapist; they will go over all of this with you.

Exercise

Your exercise plan doesn’t need to be an over-the-top routine. Having a fit body means that you can take part in your everyday activities rather than injure or exhaust yourself. Moderate aerobic activity for 30 minutes a day will give you better lasting results compared to exercising for a longer amount of time just once weekly. You might want to do a simple activity such as biking, walking, or pilates. Make your action fun, and that means you’re going to keep doing it. Consider how these actions affect different parts of your body. Are you developing your core muscles (abdominals, lower back, hips, and pelvis)? By developing your heart, you build strength, balance, and equilibrium, giving you greater control over your body and possibly fewer bleeds. Even if your fitness program is not as strenuous, you still ought to decide how best to prepare to your regular by appropriate pre and post treatment and conditioning.

Sports

Whether you are playing organized sports, pick-up games, or nontraditional sports like dancing, you might want to bear in mind what could happen as you’re playing. The safest sporting activities have risks, including dehydration and sunburn. When playing any type of sport, it is important to drink lots of liquid, and if you are exposed to UV rays, to wear sun screen. If you avoid the Cancer Council’s recommendation to slip, slop, slap, you will most likely be visiting a dermal clinician later on down the track to help you with your skin concerns. A laser skin clinic can also help you to reduce skin spots from playing sport in the UV for too long.

Simple steps to lessen the risk of harm or injury:

Discuss with your disorder treatment to staff the best way to minimise any danger associated with the game(s) you have selected, and what to do if an accident or bleed occurs within your joints.

Proper pre and post treatment

Treat near the time of your action so that your clotting factor level is at a peak during involvement. When you understand what muscle or joint may provide you problems for your favourite game you can work to enhance the area which you can do this by stretching.