Too Tired to Exercise?

We all know that exercise is good for us.  But what if you have a medical condition that keeps you from exercising?  People with persistent fatigue, cancer-related fatigue, the elderly, and those in chronic pain may feel that it is impossible to keep up with a regular exercise routine.

But, according to researchers, that’s exactly what these people should be doing.

A study at the University of Georgia found that both low-intensity and moderate-intensity exercise increased energy levels in participants.  However, the low-intensity workouts actually produced better results.  Researchers at the University of West England reviewed 28 exercise studies and found that activity was beneficial for relieving fatigue in cancer patients.  The Center for Pain Management at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago uses aerobics and weight training as part of their “boot camp” program to treat chronic pain sufferers.  And a new study done in mice found exercise helpful in delaying the symptoms of Huntington’s Disease.   

Even someone in their 60s or 70s who has never had an exercise routine can still benefit from becoming active, according to Melissa Miller, of the American College of Sports Medicine. 

If your physician agrees that you are healthy enough to exercise, you can begin to set up a customized exercise program with a Physical Therapist or Personal Trainer.