Rehabilitation exercises play a very important role in the disease process for ALS patients. These exercises help prevent a reduction in the range of motion, slow down muscle wasting, prevent contractures and deformities of the limbs, and maintain muscle strength as much as possible.
What is ALS?
ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) is a progressive neurological disease that affects the nerve cells and leads to their degeneration. Over time, the individual’s abilities gradually decline. Currently, medical treatments can help reduce symptoms and slow down the disease's progression, but there is no definitive cure. Exercise can slow the disease's progression and reduce symptoms, improving the quality of life for individuals.
Which Type of Exercises Are Useful for ALS?
Patients with ALS experience muscle atrophy, leading to limited mobility, making it difficult to exercise. However, there are ways for these patients to remain physically active and benefit from exercise. The best rehabilitation exercises are those that the individual enjoys doing. Regular and consistent exercise is crucial, as continuing these exercises greatly helps manage the disease. Some effective rehabilitation exercises include:
Stretching or Flexibility Exercises
These exercises can prevent the shortening of muscles, tendons, and ligaments and also help reduce pain. Stretching exercises should begin early in the disease and continue throughout. Shoulder stretching exercises are particularly important. Regular stretching in daily life can significantly help the individual perform tasks independently or with minimal assistance from caregivers.
Aerobic Exercises
Aerobic exercises play a key role in improving respiratory capacity and preventing further decline. Walking, swimming, and cycling are excellent choices for aerobic exercise. Group exercises or sports classes can also be highly motivating and provide an opportunity for social participation in ALS rehabilitation exercises.
Strengthening Exercises
Strengthening exercises are aimed at adjusting muscle tone and building muscle strength. Individuals attending the gym should moderate the amount of weight they lift. Moderate-intensity exercise is recommended for these individuals. This means that excessive or maximum-intensity resistance exercises should not be performed by ALS patients. To achieve moderate intensity, the weight the individual can lift repeatedly 20 times should be selected, but they should only lift it 10 times. This ensures that no excessive strain occurs in ALS rehabilitation exercises. The muscles being worked should be in a suitable condition. If the individual cannot move their arms or legs through the full range of motion, they should not use weights or resistance. Water exercises can be useful for applying low resistance.
Sports Recommendations for ALS Patients
Before starting, consult with your doctor to determine what type of exercise and for how long you can engage in it. The goal of exercising for ALS patients is to increase muscle efficiency and slow down muscle atrophy. Additionally, these patients can improve their aerobic capacity and endurance through exercise. If you still have balance, you can walk or cycle for 20 to 30 minutes several times a week. However, the activity should not put too much pressure on you, and if you feel strain, you can reduce the exercise duration to 10 minutes.
These patients can also engage in strength training with light weights several times a week. It is better to avoid strength training on days when aerobic exercises are planned. Strength training increases muscle mass and reduces disease progression. Stretching exercises can also be performed. Doing stretches once or twice a day helps reduce muscle pain and limits movement restrictions. It is advisable to stretch after exercising.
Pay attention to your body and do not overexert yourself. Rest before your body becomes too fatigued. If you don’t feel well, avoid exercising. If you feel pain in your muscles, stop exercising, and if the pain worsens, consult a doctor. Speak with your doctor about any special equipment you may need for exercising to ensure you maintain your balance.
Fatigue After Exercises in ALS Rehabilitation
Fatigue and weakness should not last more than 20 to 30 minutes after exercising. If this sensation persists, it indicates that the individual has overexerted themselves during the exercises. In ALS rehabilitation, fatigue is a sign that the respiratory system is not able to continue functioning properly during activity. Persistent fatigue or muscle weakness can increase the risk of falls. Therefore, the individual should adjust the resistance, intensity, and duration of their exercises accordingly.
Final Thoughts
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurological disease that affects the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, leading to the loss of muscle control. However, by engaging in rehabilitation exercises and following the recommended sports advice, the progression of the disease can be slowed down as much as possible.
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