Regular exercise and a healthy diet are important for people with bleeding disorders. These lifestyle habits can help you maintain a healthy weight, which can help prevent added strain on your muscles and joints. Staying healthy might also help prevent other serious health conditions.
Physical activity
Physical activity can help keep muscles strong and flexible, prevent joint damage and improve venous access. What’s more, engaging in physical activity can help build self-confidence, teach teamwork and create a sense of community. This is especially important for children and teens with bleeding disorders.
However, it is important to choose activities that are safe for you. In general, most sports and activities are safe for people with bleeding disorders, as long as they take the proper precautions. These generally include stretching before exercise and wearing a helmet and other types of protective coverings, such as knee and elbow pads. Those with a more severe condition will have more limits, such as avoiding contact sports and any other activity that may lead to injuries that cause bleeding.
The table below categorizes some common activities by risk of potential injury for a person with a bleeding disorder. This is not a complete list, and people with a bleeding disorder should consult with a healthcare professional before undertaking any physical activity. Your doctor or physical therapist can help you develop an exercise program that is appropriate for your needs.
Low-risk activities |
Moderate-risk activities |
Activities not recommended |
Archery
Aquatics
Bicycling
Body Sculpting
Circuit Training
Elliptical Machine
Rowing Machine
Ski Machine
Stationary Bike
Treadmill
Fishing
Frisbee
Frisbee golf
Golf
Hiking
Pilates
Physioball
Snorkeling
Spinning
Swimming
Tai Chi
Walking
Weight Lifting (resistance training) |
Aerobics
Baseball (softball)
Basketball
Bowling
Canoeing
Cardio kickboxing
Cheerleading
Dance
Diving (recreational)
Stepper
Frisbee (ultimate)
Gymnastics
Horseback riding
Ice skating
Inline skating
Jet skiing
Jumping rope
Karate
Kayaking
Kung Fu
Mountain biking
Racquetball
River rafting
Rock climbing (indoors)
Roller skating
Rowing/crew
Running/jogging
Scooter (non-motorized)
Scuba diving
Skateboarding
Skiing (cross-country)
Skiing (downhill)
Snowboarding
Soccer
Surfing
T-ball
Tae Kwon Do
Tennis
Track and field
Volleyball
Water skiing
Yoga
|
BMX racing
Boxing
Diving (competitive)
Football
Hockey (field, ice, street)
Lacrosse
Motorcycling/motor scooter
Motocross racing
Rocking climbing (natural)
Rodeo
Rugby
Snowmobiling
Trampoline
Weight lifting (power lifting)
Wrestling |
| *** Generally safe for most people with a bleeding disorder |
*** Require protective equipment, such as helmets, knee pads, etc... |
*** Dangerous especially in cases of severe bleeding disorders |
|
*** Source: Accredo Health Group, Inc. Hemophilia Health Services: A coach's guide to bleeding disorders: Inclusion in sports and activities. 2008.
Dietary measures
In general, no specific nutrients or foods are believed to help or hurt people with bleeding disorders. However, a sensible diet is always recommended, and those with a severe bleeding disorder may want to avoid foods with sharp edges that could cut the mouth, as well as foods that are too hot and could burn the tongue or roof of the mouth.
Get in the Game!
Gettin' in the GameSM (GIG) was developed by CSL Behring to help kids with bleeding disorders play sports and get active. At local GIG events, kids and their families get sports tips from our national GIG athletes who also have bleeding disorders. Our athletes want to show kids how important exercise and sports are for building muscles — and self-confidence. Kids and their families also get to participate in exercises and meet other kids with bleeding disorders.
Meet the GIG athletes!
Are you ready to get your game on? Learn more about GIG events or download a GIG fitness chart.
CSL Behring also sponsors the annual Junior National Championship (JNC), a day of sports, fun and family time. JNC is a great way for kids with bleeding disorders to get active, enjoy family time and get to know other kids with bleeding disorders.
Each year, JNC events are held at four locations throughout the U.S. Find an event near you.
Last Updated:
6/15/2009 12:00 PM