Sports life after a transplant
The decision to practice sports after a transplant is not easy. Although we understand and assume that the exercise is always good, there are still reluctance when it comes to someone who has crossed the transplant of an organ.
Both the patient and his relatives can be opposed to the idea of a sports practice, assuming that he will generate an unnecessary risk. It is also afraid of the blows and trauma that could be derived.
The truth is that transplanted are not necessarily people with sports limitations very different from those of the majority of the population. Although it depends on the body in question, the health status of the individual and the sport that is chosen, several factors are the same that influence a person without transplantation.
Of course it is recommended to avoid contact sports –Rugby or football-, be advised by a doctor, and above all choose a practice that you like. We cannot ignore the emotional component of sports practice, which is as important as the physicist.
When starting to practice a sport after a transplant, the body feels the need to adapt to routines. If a guida and supervised progression is followed, it is even possible to consider participation in tournaments and competitions.
On the other hand, in medical terms, exercise is a great protective factor against cardiovascular diseases, and among transplanted it is the main cause of death linked to the heart. It is assumed that one of the problems that this mortality originates from heart disease is precisely the sedentary lifestyle.
Benefits of practicing sports after a transplant
Some studies claim that playing sports after a transplant is more beneficial for those who were sedentary, than for those who already brought active life. Which shows that benefits exist.
As we know, sport is cardiovascular protector because blood glucose and blood cholesterol decreases. In the transplants who consume immunosuppressants, the exercise would reduce the adverse effects of these drugs that, to some extent, consist of raising sugar and lipids.
Also transplanted are medicated with corticosteroids in relatively high doses and with chronic use. Among the adverse effects of corticosteroids is osteoporosis, that is, the decrease in bone density. Sport, on the contrary, strengthens the osteo-mio-articular system.
We cannot despise the social benefit of playing sports after a transplant. By belonging to a group, meeting others, leaving the interior of the house, human contact is promoted that is also rehabilitator. Even more if the encounter occurs with other transplanted athletes.
When to start the exercise in the transplanted patient
Immediately after transplant surgery it is impossible to start physical exercise. There are necessary adaptations and changes that require prudential waiting time.
Not all transplants are equal, nor the response of all organisms is identical to the adaptation process. In general there is six months of recovery, although this may vary. It will always be a doctor who decides to advance or delay that wait.
Once discharged for sport, the first attempts must be mild, without overexertion. With the passing of the months the exercises and the frequency can be increased.
Types of Transplanted Training
Athletes know that not all sports are the same, and that not all training point to the same. There are exercises to improve strength and exercises to increase resistance. There are aerobic and other anaerobic exercises.
For transplanted individuals who are obliged to a long bed rest to surgery, strength training would be important. Thus they could recover muscle mass and strengthen bone tissue.
There is a considerable and constant weight gain among transplanted. Practicing sports after a transplant would reduce the kilograms won and maintain a weight according to the height. This can be achieved with strength training and aerobic exercises.
Aerobic training is able to hypertrophy the muscle fibers. When the muscle increases its diameter, it improves nerve transmission within itself, and that would help sensitivity. Recall that transplants are prescribed corticosteroids, capable of damaging nerve terminals.
Finally, we have resistance training. This modality pushes oxygenation and decreases inflammatory substances of the body. With less inflammation there are fewer pains in the transplanted, and with more oxygen there is less cardiovascular risk.
In conclusion
Practice sports after a transplant is recommended. Each treating medical team will advise the patient what exercise is better and when to start it.
The possibility of playing sports is fundamental, and friends and family should participate in the decision. In addition to monitoring and drugs, sport is a protective factor to prolong the survival of these patients.
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