Vein pathologies affect people of different age categories, including young people. Therefore, the question naturally arises: is it possible to do sports with varicose veins? Are there any limits to how dangerous the loads on the calf muscles are?
Is sports dangerous for varicose veins?
The opinion that you cannot engage in physical activity with vein disease is wrong. There are disciplines that have a beneficial effect on the condition of blood vessels. Moderate exercise is indicated at various stages of the disease. Under the supervision of a doctor, they deal with even a complex form of pathology.
The answer to the question of whether it is possible to actively engage in sports with varicose veins can only be given by a phlebologist. After analyzing all the data about a person's physical condition, the specialist will explain which disciplines to give preference to, what to avoid. Training helps:
- normalization of lymph flow;
- strengthening the body;
- normalizes blood circulation;
- strengthening the venous walls.
When choosing a sport, take into account that it is difficult to load or relax a certain muscle group during an illness. Correctly chosen discipline allows you to normalize blood circulation. This leads to an improvement in the condition of the vessels, reducing the manifestations of pathology.
Exercise recommendations for venous disease
For the correct combination of varicose veins and sports, it is important to take into account the advice of specialists. They will make efforts more productive and avoid complications.
Here are their recommendations:
- in a standing position, the greatest load occurs on the legs;
- the best option - "sitting" and "lying" classes;
- for training the heart muscle, preference is given to a comb or horizontal bicycle ergometer;
- in the classroom it is necessary to carry out elastic bandaging of the legs;
- the muscle group of the upper body is not limited in loads;
- drinking a lot of water is good for the blood.
Whatever sport a person chooses, 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, twisting of the veins. Intense exercises can harm, lead to irreparable consequences.
water
Sports activities are accompanied by profuse sweating. It is necessary to replenish the loss of fluid in the body. Because the thickening of the blood is especially dangerous in the pathology of the veins. 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, makes the blood more fluid. As a result, the heart muscle and valves work with less tension, blood circulation in the vessels is accelerated.
Appropriate clothing
Sports with varicose veins are best in special clothes. There are special types of ammunition on sale designed to keep muscles in shape. They reduce the effort on the legs, properly distribute the pressure on the calf muscles.
Compression socks (socks, stockings, tights) not only help well in training, but are also suitable in everyday life. Regular use of coveralls in combination with the main therapy restores the walls of blood vessels, accelerates recovery.
What sport should I do when I'm sick?
Useful sports for varicose veins:
- Aqua aerobics and swimming.
- Cycling is good for strengthening your leg muscles as you have to work at a steady pace.
- Walking in comfortable shoes strengthens blood vessels.
- Golf. During the competition, athletes constantly move in fresh air, which has a beneficial effect on health.
What sports can be practiced with vein pathology will be discussed further.
water sports
The sport recommended for varicose veins is swimming. Classes in warm water reduce the load on the vessels, tighten the muscles, strengthen the walls of the veins. Water has a good effect on the veins. Classes in the water are allowed even in difficult stages of varicose veins.
Yoga
Yoga Pilates is allowed when you are sick. Such exercises are performed in a static position and are indicated for vein disease. During classes, it is necessary to observe the correct execution, to control breathing.
That is why it is undesirable to practice yoga alone. An experienced master monitors the correct setting, helps you relax, acts on the right muscles.
Allowed with restrictions
What kind of sports you can do with restrictions for varicose veins, you can find out from a phlebologist. Experts advise:
- running at an intensity agreed with the doctor;
- fitness is useful in the initial stage of the disease;
- Machines for recumbent training;
- dance classes (except for the bouncy elements) are good for the legs.
Run
Running at a moderate pace is useful for pathology. During classes, the heartbeat accelerates, the muscles of the heart work more actively, the blood circulates faster. Valves in the veins of the legs begin to work more intensively, congestion is eliminated. For 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 is determined by the attending physician based on the patient's state of health.
walking
Walking is acceptable and affordable for varicose veins. Walking is done outdoors in comfortable shoes. Before walking, it is good to wear compression clothing. 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 loading
Varicose veins in athletes appear when performing strength disciplines, types that require increased load on the legs, when they refuse to wear overalls.
About jumps and squats
Jumping and crouching should be done with caution. In an advanced stage of the disease, such exercises should not be practiced. At an early stage, the actions are performed in a slow rhythm, without amplifiers.
During classes, you must constantly monitor the condition of the veins. As soon as deterioration is detected, classes are immediately stopped. The patient should seek advice.
Squats can be practiced as long as they are shallow.
Anaerobic exercise
Anaerobic activities include physical exercise that causes a lack of oxygen. Strength training, working with dumbbells and barbells, powerlifting and bodybuilding, cycling, timed running are contraindicated sports for venous pathology. In the absence of oxygen in the body, processes are activated that help fill the lack of air - the heart beats faster, the pressure rises. This condition is dangerous for problematic veins, as it causes thrombosis, bleeding.
Classes with anaerobic loads are allowed in the early stage of the disease under the following conditions:
- using compression clothing or bandaging the legs with elastic bandages;
- reduced class time;
- to drink a lot of water.
Exercise equipment and varicose veins
It is necessary to work on simulators with varicose veins after coordinating the loads with the phlebologist. The main rule is the minimum load on the legs.
Strength training is appropriate in the initial stage of the disease, provided that it is performed in a horizontal position. This reduces the load on the legs, the load on the muscles of the upper body is chosen at will.
A good alternative to jogging and cycling is working on simulators. With varicose veins, you can't run or ride a bike. Modern models regulate the load, control the pulse, monitor the pressure, the condition of the calf muscles. An exercise bike with back support makes the load on the leg muscles more gentle, as the center of gravity is shifted to the back.
Fitness and gymnastics
Classes with light physical exertion with varicose veins are permissible subject to compliance with the rules:
- during training, wrap your legs with an elastic bandage or wear compression clothing;
- avoid shock loads, strength exercises;
- perform the movements correctly;
- monitor the condition of the blood vessels.
With the appearance of cobwebs, a feeling of heaviness, you should immediately seek advice from a phlebologist.
What to do after training
During sports, the movement of blood is accelerated, the calf muscles are heated. Immediately after training you need to give them a rest. It is good to lie on your back with your legs above the level of your body. This will help you relax, move blood to the heart and restore breathing.
Contraindications for sports
For patients suffering from varicose veins, professional sports are contraindicated. This is especially true for people after surgery to remove veins or nodes.
You cannot expose the body to heavy loads, you must avoid intensive running, cycling. Contraindications for sports - advanced form of the disease: obvious swelling of vessels, presence of nodes. Independent exercises can cause 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, contribute to the normalization of blood circulation.
Prevention of varicose veins can be called quitting smoking, alcohol abuse. Prolonged stay in high heels, abuse of hot baths and saunas has a bad effect on blood vessels.