To better heal, it would be essential to practice a physical activity, according to the results of a study published in the medical journal Journal of Gerontology: Medical Sciences. Especially for the elderly.
Studies follow one another to recall the benefits of physical activity. This new research reveals that playing sports would be effective in helping to improve healing.
Researchers from Ohio State University (USA) analyzed the effects on wound healing of a 3-month physical activity program on 28 healthy older adults, with an average age of 61 years. Throughout the duration of the study, the participants followed an exercise schedule consisting of 10 minutes of warm-up, 30 minutes of pedaling on a stationary bike, 15 minutes of fast walk on a treadmill and 15 minutes of strength training. After a month, the researchers practiced experimental wounds on the volunteers, which were measured until they healed.
An adapted program set up by a doctor
The conclusions of this study showed that the participants who followed the sports program improved their cardiorespiratory capacity, their endurance.
The researchers also observed better wound healing. In fact, the closure of the wound, in these participants, took place 10 days faster, in 29 days on average against 39 days for the control group.
“While the need for rest and relaxation in patients with lesions or wounds is essential, the study also suggests that a little exercise is not a barrier to healing in adults or the elderly, in healthy. Far from it,” explains Dr. Charles Emery, professor of psychology at Ohio State University, author of the study.
The exercises must be put in place by doctors, to prevent them from harming the wound and slowing down the care and healing.
“Thus a suitable, but relatively short exercise program is associated with increased healing rates and faster healing – here 10 days – in healthy older adults. The practice of exercise should therefore not be forgotten, when possible, so it is an integral component of the wound care protocol,” concludes the researcher.
Read also:
Physical activity improves aging
Physical activity would be good for memory
