With many thanks to Dr Jennifer Cooney from Bangor University for allowing us to share the exercise videos for dialysis patients and for writing the introduction below. Please note that you should check the suitability of these exercises with your consultant prior to starting any of these exercises and it is recommended that you read the My Get Active Guide before viewing the videos. You can download the My Get Active Guide here.
Information regarding MOVE resources
Regular physical activity can have many benefits, these include:
- Increase your ability to do daily activities
- Improve your energy levels, reduce feelings of tiredness and fatigue
- Improve your muscle strength so you can do more
- Reduce breathlessness
- Improve your sleep
- Help control your blood pressure and cholesterol
- Improve your mood, reducing feelings of stress, anxiety, depression and isolation
- Improve your blood sugar, controlling and preventing diabetes
- Reduce your risk of falling
- Reduce your risk of infections, may even reduce number of hospital admissions
- Reduce your risk of developing other health conditions – diabetes, heart disease, even some cancers
For whole body health and fitness it is recommend that you complete the following kinds of activities:
- Aerobic Activities
- Muscle Strengthening Activities
- Flexibility Activities
The videos featured on subsequent pages are part of the MOVE resources created to help haemodialysis patients increase their physical activity. All MOVE resources including the patient booklet My Get Active Guide are freely available on the MOVE website (move.bangor.ac.uk).
Muscle Strengthening Videos
There are a variety of muscle strengthening exercises for the upper body and lower body that can be completed at home or even during dialysis. For muscle strengthening exercises, it is recommended that you do these exercises on two or more days per week. Ideally, you should complete 8-10 different exercises involving large muscle groups, but avoid doing the same exercises on consecutive days. To ensure you exercise safely follow the guidelines given in the My Get Active Guide (page 22). Use the information given in the My Get Active Guide (page 21) to help you determine how many of each exercise to complete and what weight to use.
Flexibility Videos
For flexibility exercises, it is recommended that you do these exercises on at least two to three days per week. You should aim to hold each stretch for 10-30 seconds (older adults may benefit from holding a stretch for 30-60 seconds). Flexibility exercises should be repeated 2-4 times to reach a total target of 60 seconds stretching per flexibility exercise. To ensure you complete flexibility exercises safely, follow the guidelines given in the My Get Active Guide (page 31).
Disclaimer:
Please note that you should obtain approval from your doctor before embarking on any physical activity programme.
By using these materials, you agree that Bangor University and the authors will not be responsible for any loss or injury sustained in connection with, or as a result of using the MOVE resources.
Attribution: The MOVE resources were created by exercise specialists at the School of Sport, Health and Exercise Sciences, Bangor University as part of an impact project funded by the ESRC Impact Acceleration Account.