Exercise videos for people who are waiting for surgery
The NHS has partnered with fitness coach Joe Wicks to release exercise videos for people who are waiting for surgery, to help them recover quicker.
The two 10-minute online routines aim to help increase activity levels in people who are waiting for an operation, and are particularly suitable for older people.
They were produced in partnership with the Centre for Perioperative Care, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, and the British Geriatrics Society.
There are 7,000 surgical operations every day in the UK, and up to 1 in 7 people get complications after surgery. This can include issues relating to their wound, heart problems, lung infections and confusion. They can also lose independence if they are in hospital for longer than needed. People who have heart and lung problems, have two or more long-term conditions, and those who are living with frailty are particularly at risk of complications.
However, increased activity and improved lifestyle choices ahead of surgery helps reduce these complications. This means patients recover quicker after surgery and get home sooner. It benefits patients, their families and hospitals, which are particularly busy in the winter months.
The fitness sessions have been designed for people with different activity levels. There are 10 exercises in each routine, one of which is chaired-based and the other is low impact. They include side kicks, chair kicks, reverse lunges and squats.
For further information about the videos and other pre-operative support
