Have you ever wondered what happens to your body when you are inactive? How long does it take to start deconditioning? How do I prevent further deconditioning?
Well I think that this subject is a very important one because as you decondition you lose function in your major systems such as cardiovascular, muscles, balance, endurance, coordination, even your metabolic rate changes, these systems are all involved in you general activities of daily living. It only takes 1 week of inactivity to
Deconditioning is a complex process of physiological change following a period of inactivity, bedrest or sedentary lifestyle. It results in functional losses in such areas as mental status, and ability to accomplish activities of daily living. The most predictable effects of deconditioning are seen in the musculoskeletal system and include diminished muscle mass, decreases of muscle strength by two to five percent per day, muscle shortening, changes in periarticular (where the muscle attaches to the bone) and cartilaginous joint structure and marked loss of leg strength that seriously limit mobility. The decline in muscle mass and strength has been linked to falls, functional decline, increased frailty and immobility.
As you can see that lack of activity is a serious problem in our modern society. If you do not use it you will lose it.
How do I make a plan to keep moving if I am in pain of have a limiting special condition? Well that is a good question and should be handled by a professional so that you do not get hurt in the process of gaining your function back to previous state before injury or disease. Go to www.healthandexerciseprescriptions.com We can help you design a safe and effective program for you to stay mobile while dealing with injuries or disease processes.
Well I hope that this short blog post puts into perspective the issues behind taking time off from physical activity and the long-term dangers that it can create. Sometimes resting too much can really cause more problems.
Thanks for reading my post!
Jaime Hernandez
Health and Exercise Prescriptions