The new study includes a how-to guide that lists step-by-step
effective exercises for a variety of health problems including:
• Osteoarthritis of the knee and hip: muscle strengthening,
aerobic and range-of-motion exercises to help alleviate pain and
improve function in people of all ages
• Low back pain: individually supervised exercise sessions by a
physiotherapist over 8-12 weeks with both a supervised component
and home-based exercises
• Prevention of falls: supervised group or individual exercises
by a physiotherapist or trained health professional with home
exercises to improve balance, strength and coordination
The how-to guide also includes exercises for COPD, diabetes,
chronic fatigue syndrome, heart disease and heart failure. The
guide details specifics for each condition, such as materials
needed, and the number and length of exercise sessions.
"Exercise is an effective but neglected treatment for many
chronic conditions," the authors wrote. "However, similar to
surgery, exercise is not a single entity but must be tailored to
the condition."