The reduced life expectancy (15-20 years less) often faced by many people with schizophrenia is frequently a result of cardiovascular disease. Lifestyle choices (smoking, lack of exercise and poor diet) can increase the risk of these diseases, but people who take antipsychotic drugs often have the additional problem of weight gain that is caused by [read the full story…]
The benefits of exercise for a healthy lifestyle are now well understood. However, there are issues relating to the physiology of people with Down syndrome which might suggest limitations to the extent to which they can engage in cardiovascular or resistance exercises. we also know that many people with Down syndrome are overweight or obese. [read the full story…]
What to do Musculoskeletal Elves do on a cold Sunday morning in December? As you know we have been having a physical activity theme to our blogs recently. Well Elves like to keep active and so this Sunday I changed out of my Elf outfit and into the outfit I borrowed from Santa, complete with [read the full story…]
During last winter several elves slipped on ice and landed heavily. Although initially embarrassed, most forgot the incident but a few still struggle with lateral hip pain when climbing stairs or sleeping in bed. Previously known as trochanteric bursitis, this condition is now defined as Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome (GTPS). This umbrella term covers a [read the full story…]
We Elves know that exercise is critical in the prevention of disease and evidence for the benefit of exercise in many forms of disease. This is highly relevant as our 5×50 worldwide exercise flash-mob challenge about to start on Friday 23rd November (see earlier post). Don’t forget to sign up for and join the Musculoskeletal [read the full story…]
Are you part of it? Join the Musculoskeletal Elves Team (on the 5×50 registration website #TheMSK_Elf). By running, walking, cycling 5k a day for the 7 days from 23rd to 29th November the organisers aim to cover the equivalent distance of 5 times round the world. It’s not aimed at the fit – it’s about [read the full story…]
With our 5×50 worldwide exercise flash-mob challenge about to start on Friday 23rd November (see earlier post) we thought we would have a look at evidence related to physical activity and exercise for people with musculoskeletal conditions. The majority of research on people with RA has focused on the effect of exercise training with benefits [read the full story…]
We Elves know that physical activity is beneficial for health and well-being and we also know that sometimes we just don’t do enough of it. Well here is a great opportunity for us all to kick start our activity and also be part of something very big. The enthusiastic friends of Musculoskeletal Elf in Scotland [read the full story…]
NICE have published three new public health briefings for local government on Inequalities and population health, the Public Health Outcomes Framework and Alcohol. These documents are aimed at local authorities and their partner organisations in the health and voluntary sectors, in particular those involved with health and wellbeing boards. Local government is preparing to take [read the full story…]
When the keep-fit Elf was on holiday recently her replacement introduced us to a new exercise. We all enthusiastically participated in the ‘power lunges’ (more like wobbling really) but over the next few days the front of my knee hurt climbing stairs, kneeling or bending down. What was wrong? Would exercising make it worse? How [read the full story…]
