Physical Activity Pre and Post Surgery

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Benefits of Exercise pre and post surgery[edit | edit source]

There is good evidence that regular exercise has a useful effect on the coagulation cascade[1].

It has been known for some years that inspiratory muscle training provided pre-operatively reduces the risk of anaesthetic complications as well as reducing post-operative complications[2].

Pre-operative exercise reduces the length of stay both in Intensive Care facilities and in hospital[3][4].

Health benefits of exercise before surgery[edit | edit source]

A systematic review in 2010 found that preoperative exercise therapy is effective for reducing both postoperative complication rates and length of hospital stay after cardiac or abdominal surgery[5].

A study on patients undergoing colorectal surgery found benefits from exercise programmes pre-operatively: improved physical function, peak exercise capacity, mental health and self-perceived health[6],

Health benefits of exercise post surgery[edit | edit source]

There is clear evidence for the following surgeries:

  • Spinal surgery - improved spinal mobility[7]
  • Total Hip and Knee Replacement surgery - earlier discharge[8]
  • Colorectal surgery - increased cardiovascular fitness[9]
  • Breast surgery - fewer side-effects[10]
  • In many surgeries: reduced risk of blood clots[11]

Contraindications to exercise pre/post surgery[edit | edit source]

In addition to the general contraindications (see

Resources[edit | edit source]

The Motivate2Move website, created by Wales Deanery, has a comprehensive section on surgery and exercise.

References[edit | edit source]

References will automatically be added here, see adding references tutorial.

  1. Kokkinos, P and Myers, J. Exercise and physical activity: clinical outcomes and applications. ☀[/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20956238 Circulation.] 2010 Oct 19;122(16):1637-48. doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.110.948349
  2. Hulzebos, EH, Helders, PJ, et al. Preoperative intensive inspiratory muscle training to prevent postoperative pulmonary complications in high-risk patients undergoing CABG surgery: a randomized clinical trial. ☀[/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17047215 JAMA.] 2006 Oct 18;296(15):1851-7
  3. Arthur, HM, Daniels, C et al. Effect of a preoperative intervention on preoperative and postoperative outcomes in low-risk patients awaiting elective coronary artery bypass graft surgery. A randomized, controlled trial. ☀[/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10929164%3Fdopt%3DAbstract Ann Intern Med.] 2000 Aug 15;133(4):253-6
  4. Doherty, AF, West, M, Jack, S and Grocott, MPW. Preoperative aerobic exercise training in elective intra-cavity surgery: a systematic review  Br J Anaesth (2013) 110 (5): 679-689
  5. Valkenet, K. et al. The effects of preoperative exercise therapy on postoperative outcome: a systematic review. Clinical Rehabilitation, Volume: 25 issue: 2, page(s): 99-111 Article first published online: November 8, 2010;Issue published: February 1, 2011
  6. Mayo, NE et al. Impact of preoperative change in physical function on postoperative recovery: argument supporting prehabilitation for colorectal surgery. Surgery,  2011 Sep;150(3):505-14. doi: 10.1016/j.surg.2011.07.045
  7. McGregor, AH et al. Cochrane Review: Rehabilitation following surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis.
  8. Hansen, TB, Bredtoft, KH, Larson, K. Preoperative physical optimization in fast-track hip and knee arthroplasty. [/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22293051 Dan Med J.] 2012 Feb;59(2):A4381.
  9. Carli, F, et al. Randomized clinical trial of prehabilitation in colorectal surgery. [/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20602503 Br J Surg.] 2010 Aug;97(8):1187-97. doi: 10.1002/bjs.7102.
  10. Rebecca M. Speck & Kerry S. Courneya & Louise C. Mâsse & Sue Duval & Kathryn H. Schmitz An update of controlled physical activity trials in cancer survivors: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Cancer Surviv (2010) 4:87–100 DOI 10.1007/s11764-009-0110-5
  11. <header> Partsch, Hugo MD Bed rest versus ambulation in the initial treatment of patients with proximal deep vein thrombosis </header><section> </section><section> Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine: [/journals.lww.com/co-pulmonarymedicine/toc/2002/09000 September 2002 - Volume 8 - Issue 5 - pp 389-393] </section>