Perks of Physical Activity for Friedreich's Ataxia: Enhancing Quality of Life for Affected Individuals
Friedreich's Ataxia: The Importance of Exercise for Lifting Quality of Life
Friedreich's ataxia (FA) is a rare genetic condition characterized by muscular weakness, balance issues, and impairments in sensory functions such as speech, hearing, and vision. Typically beginning in childhood, the progression of FA can result in a loss of strength, difficulties in standing, walking, or running, and feelings of fatigue. This may lead individuals to believe that reducing activity might be beneficial. However, physical therapy and exercise are vital components of living with FA.
Exercise plays a crucial role in maintaining a healthy weight, improving mood, energy levels, sleep, social connections, and managing or preventing various health conditions like Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. For individuals with FA, exercise offers additional advantages.
"Friedreich's ataxia is a disease that affects the neuromuscular system and influences balance," explains neurologist Ilia Itin, MD. "The better physical shape you're in, the better you'll be able to function, and the fewer possibilities you have when it comes to falls and injuries."
Adopting a regular exercise regimen can help maintain or improve balance, flexibility, and coordination, and combat fatigue, thus ultimately enhancing the overall quality of life. A physical therapist can assess an individual's unique needs and recommend appropriate exercises based on their symptoms and the severity of the disease.
Choosing the Right Exercises
In consultation with a physical therapist, individuals with FA can determine the most effective exercises for their needs. For example, strengthening exercises can help keep muscles strong, improve posture, and boost overall mobility. Common muscle groups for focus may include the core, shoulders, upper body, hips, hamstrings, and ankles.
Stretching exercises should also be performed daily to help reduce muscle tightness and improve flexibility. For those with FA specifically, focus may be placed on the legs and feet to address foot issues such as pes cavus, and to manage skeletal issues like scoliosis.
Gait training exercises may be recommended to improve the ability to stand and walk. These exercises work to enhance coordination, which can help improve hand-eye coordination and the signal between the brain and muscles. Balance exercises such as sit-to-stand exercises or using a balance board can also help maintain balance and stability.
Regular cardiovascular exercise can help increase or maintain endurance, energy, and heart and lung function. Plus, it benefits the brain, joints, muscles, digestion, and mood. A physical therapist can tailor a cardiovascular program to suit an individual's needs, providing recommendations such as swimming, seated aerobics, wheelchair basketball, adapted yoga, stationary cycling, or seated rowing.
Bottom Line
Exercise is invaluable for individuals living with Friedreich's ataxia. With the disease's progression as well as aging, needs and abilities may change. Working with a physical therapist for an assessment will help identify appropriate exercises for each stage of life and the disease's ongoing challenges.
"Everybody who has Friedreich's ataxia is different and is at different stages of the disease," notes Dr. Itin. "It's important to see a physical therapist for an assessment to help us recommend what's appropriate in any given case."
In conclusion, while living with Friedreich's ataxia presents unique challenges, adopting an exercise routine tailored to individual needs through the guidance of a physical therapist can significantly improve quality of life and combat the progression of symptoms.
- Maintaining a healthy weight, managing various health conditions, and improving mood, energy levels, sleep, and social connections can be achieved through regular exercise.
- For individuals with Friedreich's Ataxia (FA), exercise plays a crucial role in combating the progression of symptoms, maintaining balance, improving coordination, and reducing fatigue.
- Strengthening exercises can help keep muscles strong, improve posture, and boost overall mobility for individuals with FA.
- Stretching exercises are essential to reduce muscle tightness and improve flexibility, particularly focusing on the legs and feet in cases of FA to address foot issues and skeletal issues like scoliosis.
- Gait training exercises can enhance coordination and the signal between the brain and muscles to improve standing, walking, and even hand-eye coordination for people with FA.
- Regular cardiovascular exercise is essential for increasing or maintaining endurance, energy, and heart and lung function, benefiting brain, joints, muscles, digestion, and mood for individuals with FA.
- Working with a physical therapist for regular assessments will help adapt exercises to individual needs as the disease progresses and abilities change.
- Better functionality, reduced chances of falls and injuries, and an overall improved quality of life can be achieved through a tailored exercise routine guided by a physical therapist for individuals with Friedreich's ataxia.
