Venous pathologies affect people of different ages, including young people. Therefore, the question naturally arises: Is sport possible with varicose veins? Are there any restrictions on how dangerous strains on the calf muscles are?
Is exercise dangerous for varicose veins?
The opinion that one cannot engage in physical activity with venous disease is wrong. There are disciplines that have a positive effect on the condition of blood vessels. Moderate exercise is indicated at different stages of the disease. Under the supervision of a doctor, they even deal with a complex form of pathology.
The answer to the question of whether you can actively play sports with varicose veins can only be given by a phlebologist. After analyzing all the data on a person's physical condition, the specialist explains which disciplines to prefer and which to avoid. Training helps:
- normalizes lymph flow;
- strengthen the body;
- normalize blood circulation;
- Strengthening of the vein walls.
When choosing a sport, they take into account that in case of illness it is difficult to load or relax a certain muscle group. Properly chosen discipline allows you to normalize blood circulation. This leads to an improvement in the condition of the vessels, reduces the manifestations of pathology.
Recommendations for training in venous diseases
In order to properly combine varicose veins and sports, it is important to take into account the advice of specialists. You will make efforts more productive and avoid complications.
Here are their recommendations:
- when standing, the greatest load occurs on the legs;
- the best option - classes "sitting" and "lying";
- for training the heart muscle, a rowing or horizontal ergometer is preferred;
- in the classroom it is necessary to perform elastic bandaging of the legs;
- the muscle group of the upper body is not limited in the load;
- Drinking a lot is good for the blood.
Whichever sport you choose, the load on the calf muscles should be moderate.
choice of loads
Despite the fact that fitness and varicose veins are successfully combined, it is necessary to choose sports loads taking into account the individual characteristics of the body. The disease leads to stagnation of blood, formation of knots in the vessels, torsion of the veins. Intense training can be harmful and lead to irreparable consequences.
water
Sporting activities are accompanied by profuse sweating. It is necessary to replenish the fluid lost in the body. Since the thickening of the blood in the pathology of the veins is especially dangerous. This leads to poor blood circulation, stagnation and the appearance of blood clots. Drinking a lot of water replenishes the water content in the tissue cells, making the blood more fluid. As a result, the heart muscle and heart valves work with less strain and the blood circulation in the vessels is accelerated.
Appropriate clothing
Sport with varicose veins is best done in special clothing. There are special types of ammunition for sale that are designed to keep the muscles in shape. They reduce the effort of the legs, properly distribute the pressure on the calf muscles.
Compression stockings (socks, stockings, tights) not only help well during training, but are also appropriate in everyday life. Regular use of overalls in combination with the main therapy will rehabilitate the walls of blood vessels and speed up recovery.
Which sport when ill
Sports that are useful for varicose veins:
- aqua aerobics and swimming.
- Cycling is good for strengthening the leg muscles because you have to work at a constant rhythm.
- Walking in comfortable shoes strengthens blood vessels.
- Golf. During competitions, athletes are constantly moving in the fresh air, which has a positive effect on health.
What sports can be practiced with venous pathology will be discussed further.
water sports
The recommended sport for varicose veins is swimming. Classes in warm water reduce the load on vessels, tone muscles, strengthen the walls of veins. Water has a good effect on the veins. Courses in the water are allowed even in difficult stages of varicose veins.
yoga
Yoga Pilates is allowed if you are ill. Such exercises are performed in a static position and are indicated for venous disorders. During classes, it is necessary to observe the correct execution and control breathing.
Therefore, it is undesirable to practice yoga alone. An experienced master monitors the correct setting, helps to relax, acts on the right muscles.
Allowed with restrictions
You can find out from a phlebologist which sport you can do with limitations if you have varicose veins. Experts advise:
- Running at an intensity agreed with the doctor;
- fitness is useful in the initial stages of the disease;
- supine exercise machines;
- Dance classes (with the exception of hopping elements) are good for the legs.
To run
Running at a moderate pace is useful in pathology. During classes, the heartbeat speeds up, the heart muscles work more actively, the blood circulates faster. The valves in the veins of the legs begin to work more intensively, congestion is eliminated. When jogging, it is important to choose the right shoes - orthopedic insoles and comfortable sneakers reduce the load on the calf muscles.
The duration and pace of running are determined by the attending physician based on the patient's state of health.
Go
Walking is acceptable and available for varicose veins. Walking is done outdoors in comfortable shoes. It is good to wear compression clothing before walking. The pace should be moderate, it can be alternated with short runs. Walking in place is indicated in the later stages of the disease.
Invalid Exercises and Load
Varicose veins in athletes appear in power sports, types that require increased load on the legs when refusing to wear overalls.
About jumps and squats
With caution you need to jump and squat. In an advanced stage of the disease, such exercises should not be performed. At an early stage, actions are performed at a slow rhythm without reinforcement.
During classes, you should constantly monitor the condition of the veins. As soon as a deterioration is detected, the lessons are stopped immediately. The patient should seek advice.
Squats can be practiced as long as they are done flat.
anaerobic load
Anaerobic activity involves exercise that causes oxygen starvation. Weight training, work with kettlebells and barbells, powerlifting and bodybuilding, cycling, time running are contraindicated sports for venous pathology. When there is a lack of oxygen in the body, processes are activated that help to compensate for the lack of air - the heart beats faster, the pressure increases. This condition is dangerous for problem veins as it causes thrombosis and bleeding.
Classes with anaerobic stress are allowed at an early stage of the disease under the following conditions:
- use of compression garments or bandaging the legs with elastic bandages;
- reduced class time;
- to drink lots of water.
Exercise equipment and varicose veins
It is necessary to work on simulators with varicose veins, having coordinated the loads with the phlebologist. The main rule is the minimum load on the legs.
Strength training is appropriate in the early stages of the disease, provided it is done in a horizontal position. This reduces the load on the legs, the load on the upper body muscles is chosen arbitrarily.
A good alternative to jogging and cycling is working on simulators. You cannot walk or ride a bike with varicose veins. Modern models regulate the load, control the pulse, monitor the pressure, the condition of the calf muscles. A back-supported exercise bike makes the load on the leg muscles gentler because the center of gravity shifts backwards.
fitness and gymnastics
Classes of low physical exertion for varicose veins are allowed, observing the rules:
- During exercise, wrap your legs with an elastic bandage or wear compression clothing.
- avoid shock loads, strength exercises;
- perform the movements correctly;
- Monitor the condition of blood vessels.
With the appearance of spider veins, a feeling of heaviness, you should immediately seek advice from a phlebologist.
What to do after training
During sports, the blood movement is accelerated, the calf muscles are warmed up. Immediately after training, you should give them a break. It is good to lie on your back and place your legs above body height. This will help relax, move blood to the heart, and restore breathing.
Contraindications for sports
Professional sports are contraindicated for patients with varicose veins. This is especially true for people who have had surgery to remove veins or lumps.
You can not subject the body to heavy loads, you should avoid intensive running and cycling. Contraindications to sports - an advanced form of the disease: obvious swelling of the vessels, the presence of nodes. Independent exercises can provoke complications.
Prevention of varicose veins
Traditional medicine offers a wide range of ways to deal with the disease. For example, St. John's wort and ginger root strengthen the immune system and help normalize blood circulation.
Prevention of varicose veins can be called smoking cessation, alcohol abuse. A long stay in high heels, abuse of hot baths and saunas negatively affects blood vessels.