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      • If a Bleed Occurs
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Sports & Exercise

For people with hemophilia, sports and exercise are an important part of a healthy lifestyle. Physical activity can help to strengthen muscles around the joints and help prevent joint damage.¹ If you are the parent of a youngster just starting youth sports, you’ll find useful information in this section of thereforyou.com.

Getting started

Before beginning an exercise program, it is important to schedule a physical exam at your treatment center to make sure that your child is prepared for the activity.² (For more information, see Preparing for Sports.)

Selecting a sport that is considered safe for people with hemophilia is also an essential step. Fortunately, there are extensive guidelines to help you in your choice. (See Selecting the Right Sport.) An effective exercise program should include stretching.

Being prepared

While warming up and cooling down are important practices for all exercise activities, they are especially helpful for people with hemophilia.² Check with your treatment center as to whether there are any special warm up or cool down exercises your child should be doing. (See Warming Up/Cooling Down.)

Learning to recognize and treat a sports-related bleed is very important. Confirm with your physician and/or treatment center what you should do if a bleed does happen and whether they recommend infusing before the sports session. Typically, in the first 24-48 hours after a bleed, factor replacement and R.I.C.E. (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) are used to stop the bleeding and begin clotting as quickly as possible. (See If a Bleed Occurs.)²

Note: As always, whatever sport your child chooses to pursue, please check with your physician and/or treatment center before beginning any sports or exercise program.

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References

1. “Exercises for People with Hemophilia”.An excellent guide that can be downloaded from the Publications section, General Guides, on the World Federation of Hemophilia website. Available at http://www.wfh.org. Accessed August 10, 2008.
2. Playing It Safe: Bleeding Disorders, Sports, and Exercise. A publication of the National Hemophilia Foundation.