Aims of Exercise for Individuals with Hypokinetic Disease
Understanding Exercise Goals for Hypokinetic Conditions
When working with individuals who have hypokinetic diseases (conditions caused by lack of physical activity), exercise programs need to be carefully designed with specific aims in mind. Let's break down these key objectives:
1. Prevention of Further Deterioration
- Maintain current functional capacity
- Slow down disease progression
- Preserve existing muscle strength and flexibility
Hypokinetic diseases often create a vicious cycle where reduced activity leads to further deterioration, making prevention a crucial first step.
2. Management of Symptoms
The primary aims include:
- Reducing severity of symptoms
- Improving daily function
- Managing associated conditions
For someone with Type 2 diabetes (a common hypokinetic disease), exercise aims to:
- Improve insulin sensitivity
- Help maintain healthy blood glucose levels
- Reduce the need for medication
3. Quality of Life Enhancement
Exercise programs focus on:
- Increasing independence in daily activities
- Improving mobility and functional capacity
- Enhancing social interaction opportunities
- Boosting mental well-being
4. Risk Factor Reduction
Key targets include:
