Academics at Oxford Brookes University have devised a chair-based exercise programme for anyone whose daily routine, health and wellbeing has been affected or disrupted by COVID-19.
The ten-minute programme is particularly appropriate for people with mobility problems, long-term health issues and those whose normal daily activities have been restricted by the lockdown.
In short:
- The chair-based exercise programme was devised during the first few days of the Covid-19 lockdown by researchers from the Centre for Movement, Occupational and Rehabilitation Sciences (MOReS)at Oxford Brookes University, with advice from Professor Patrick Doherty, University of York.
- The programme was supported by NIHR Oxford Health Biomedical Research Centre and Oxford Health NHS Trust.
- Originally designed for people with kidney and heart failure, the exercise programme was trialled by PhD student, Sheera Sutherland with patients in the Renal Dialysis Unit, Oxford University Hospitals.
Dr Andy Meaney, Head of the CLEAR Unit at Oxford Brookes University, said: “In order to maintain health during the lockdown, it’s important to stay as active as possible. Physical activity is vital for better physical and mental health and regular exercise will help you develop and maintain your fitness, strength, mobility and balance while living in isolation or lockdown.
“The exercises can be performed anywhere in the home or garden and parts of the programme can be repeated during the day. All you need is a stable chair. Most importantly, the programme allows you to stay safe, stay at home and keep moving – remember, movement is medicine.”
For more information, visit the Oxford Brookes website.
