Sports and Exercise
“Sports are a way for me to relax: I do it to stay fit because I want to maintain my condition.”
“In primary school, I was often left out during gym class, especially when we worked in groups—no one wanted me to join because I have a disability. Now I don’t participate anymore. My gym teacher found it difficult to adapt the lessons so that I could join in.”
Being active is healthy. Sports can make you happier, more active, fitter, and it’s a great way to relax. It’s also a good way to meet peers. Sometimes, sports can be more challenging if you have a health condition, and you may not know how to approach it or whether it is suitable for you.
Don’t let that stop you! There are plenty of sports you might not immediately think of. On this part of the website, you can find all information about sports, including guidance on exercising with different health conditions.
It is important to have a healthy lifestyle.
By maintaining a healthy lifestyle and staying fit, you can prevent secondary problems such as overweight/obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, it helps you maintain your own functional independence and feel happier! A healthy lifestyle is also important for participating in society, maintaining social contacts, and contributes to a good quality of life.
“Simply fully participate in ordinary life and enjoy it.”
How do I achieve an active lifestyle?
With an active lifestyle, you aim to live healthier and be more physically active. Achieving an active lifestyle is not always easy. If you want to be more active but don’t know how, consider visiting your doctor for exercise advice or seek guidance from a practice nurse, dietitian, and/or physiotherapist. An active lifestyle can improve your quality of life. Moreover, physical activity can have a positive effect on your condition. Before starting any activity, always consult your doctor for advice.
Active near you
More and more initiatives are emerging to support people in adopting an active lifestyle. Check out the local initiatives:
Can’t find anything near you? Ask your doctor, physiotherapist, or occupational therapist for advice.
TIPS for an active lifestyle
Use a pedometer to track how much you move.
It’s okay to have rest periods sometimes. Don’t be hard on yourself—feeling guilty won’t help you get back into activity.
Seek support for exercise; ask family and friends to encourage you.
Ask someone to exercise with you.
Sometimes it helps to tell everyone you’re going to be active again; others can motivate you.
Keep an activity diary to track your activities.
Reward yourself when you are active.
Ensure variety and try new activities.
This includes both indoor and outdoor sports, with possible adaptations you can make to be able to participate despite your condition. For some conditions, you may be able to join a regular sports club. It can be wise, however, to inform the coaches or instructors about your condition so they can take it into account and intervene if something goes wrong.
For most conditions, physical activity has a positive effect on symptoms. By being active, you gain more endurance, stronger muscles, better circulation, and a boost of positive energy. This, in turn, helps you feel better overall and may reduce your symptoms. It is important to pay attention to your limits. Doing too much can be just as harmful as doing too little. You need to find the right balance. You can try out different sports to see which suits you best, but also ask your healthcare provider for guidance. They have experience with other patients who want to exercise despite their condition.
Fatigue and pain
Exercising when you are very tired? It might not seem like the best choice, but it actually is. If you only sit on the couch or stay in bed, your muscles and fitness decline, making it even harder to be active later. Of course, you don’t have to run a marathon right away. Start with something simple, like walking around your neighborhood. Build up gradually and pay close attention to your limits. You can also exercise under the supervision of a physiotherapist in a medical gym.
If you feel a bit fitter and want to take up a sport, choose one with lower intensity. These are activities where your heart rate stays low and you don’t get out of breath. Examples include walking, cycling, yoga, and swimming. These sports can also be easily adapted to your own fitness level.
