Exercise and Nutrition Sports and Hemophilia
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 A prophylactic treatment plan (regular infusions)* that includes weight management and exercise can help you to reduce your annual bleed rate (ABR) and prevent most bleeds.2,3 If you are an adult looking for a good way to stay fit, you'll find useful information in this section of ThereForYou.com.
Getting Started: Hemophilia And Exercise
Before beginning an exercise program, it is important to schedule a physical exam at your treatment center to make sure that you are prepared for the activity.4
Getting Started: Hemophilia And 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. An effective exercise program should include stretching.
Hemophilia And Sports: Being Prepared
While warming up and cooling down are important practices for all exercise activities, they are especially helpful for people with hemophilia.4 Check with your hemophilia treatment center as to whether there are any special warm up or cool down exercises you should be doing.
Hemophilia And Sports: Exercise-Related Bleeds
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. Typically, in the first 24-48 hours after a bleed, factor replacement is used to stop the bleeding and begin clotting as quickly as possible, and R.I.C.E. (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) is used to reduce pain and swelling.4
Note: Be sure to consult your physician or treatment center before beginning any exercise program or participating in sporting activities. If an injury occurs, contact your physician or treatment center immediately for the appropriate treatment.
References
- Exercises For People With Hemophilia. World Hemophilia Federation website. http://www.wfh.org/2/docs/Publications/General_Guides/Exercise_Guide_med.pdf. Accessed June 8, 2011.
- Complications of hemophilia. In: All About Hemophilia: A Guide for Families. Montreal, Quebec, Canada: Canadian Hemophilia Society; 2010. http://www.hemophilia.ca/files/Chapter%2008.pdf. Accessed May 25, 2010.
- Carcao MD, Aledort L. Prophylactic factor replacement in hemophilia. Blood Rev. 2004;18:101-113.
- Anderson A, Forsyth A. Playing it safe: Bleeding Disorders, Sports and exercise. New York, NY. National Hemophilia Foundation. 2005.
