Vein pathologies affect people from different age categories, including young people. Therefore, the question naturally arises: is sports possible with varicose veins? Are there any restrictions on how dangerous loads on the calf muscles are?
Is sport dangerous for varicose veins
The opinion that having a disease of the veins, you can not engage in physical activity is wrong. There are disciplines that have a beneficial effect on the state of blood vessels. Moderate exercise is indicated at various stages of the disease. Under the supervision of a doctor, they are engaged even with 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 of the physical condition of a person, the specialist will explain which disciplines to give preference to, what to avoid. Training helps:
- normalize lymph flow;
- strengthen the body;
- normalize blood circulation;
- strengthen the venous walls.
When choosing a sport, they take into account that in case of illness it is difficult to strain or relax a certain muscle group. Properly chosen discipline allows you to normalize blood circulation. This leads to an improvement in the condition of the vessels, reduces the manifestations of pathology.
Recommendations for training with vein diseases
To correctly combine 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 the standing position, the greatest load on the legs occurs;
- the best option - classes "sitting" and "lying";
- for training the heart muscle, preference is given to a rowing or horizontal exercise bike;
- in the classroom it is necessary to perform elastic bandaging of the legs;
- the muscle group of the upper body is not limited in loads;
- drinking plenty 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, the formation of nodes in the vessels, torsion of the veins. Intense exercise can be harmful, lead to irreparable consequences.
Water
Sports activities are accompanied by profuse sweating. It is necessary to replenish the loss of fluid in the body. Since thickening of the blood is especially dangerous in the pathology of the veins. This leads to poor circulation, stagnation, and the appearance of blood clots. Drinking plenty of water replenishes the water content in tissue cells, makes the blood more liquid. As a result, the heart muscle and valves work with less stress, blood circulation in the vessels is accelerated.
Suitable clothes
Sports with varicose veins is best done in special clothes. On sale there are special types of ammunition designed to keep muscles in shape. They reduce the efforts of the legs, correctly distribute the pressure on the calf muscles.
Compression stockings (socks, stockings, tights) not only help well in training, but are also appropriate in everyday life. Regular use of overalls in combination with the main therapy rehabilitates the walls of blood vessels, speeds up recovery.
What sports to do when sick
Sports that are useful for varicose veins:
- Aqua aerobics and swimming.
- Cycling is good for strengthening leg muscles, as you have to work in a constant rhythm.
- Walking in comfortable shoes strengthens blood vessels.
- Golf. During the competition, athletes constantly move in the 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 at difficult stages of varicose veins.
Yoga
Yoga Pilates is allowed when you are sick. Such exercises are carried out in a static position and are indicated for vein disease. During classes, it is necessary to observe the correct execution, control breathing.
Therefore, it is undesirable to practice yoga on your own. An experienced master monitors the correct setting, helps to relax, act on the right muscles.
Allowed with restrictions
What kind of sport 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 at the initial stage of the disease;
- machines designed for training in a supine position;
- dance classes (with the exception of bouncing elements) are good for the legs.
Run
Running at a moderate pace is useful in pathology. During classes, the heartbeat quickens, the muscles of the heart work more actively, the blood circulates faster. The 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 available for varicose veins. Walking is carried out outdoors in comfortable shoes. It is good to wear compression clothing before walking. The pace should be moderate, it can be alternated with short runs. Walking on the spot is indicated in the later stages of the disease.
Invalid exercises and load
Varicose veins in athletes appear when doing power disciplines, types that require an increased load on the legs when they refuse to wear overalls.
About jumps and squats
With caution, you need to jump and squat. At an advanced stage of the disease, such exercises should not be practiced. At an early stage, actions are performed in a slow rhythm, without amplifiers.
During classes, you should constantly monitor the condition of the veins. As soon as deterioration is detected, classes immediately stop. The patient should seek advice.
Squats can be practiced provided that they are done shallow.
Anaerobic load
Anaerobic activities involve physical exercise that causes a lack of oxygen. Strength training, work with kettlebells and barbells, powerlifting and bodybuilding, cycling, time running are contraindicated sports for vein pathology. In conditions of lack of oxygen in the body, processes are activated that help to fill the lack of air - the heart beats faster, pressure rises. This condition is dangerous for problematic veins, as it causes thrombosis, bleeding.
Classes with anaerobic loads are allowed at an early stage of the disease under the following conditions:
- using compression garments 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 at the initial stage of the disease, provided that they are carried out in a horizontal position. This reduces the load on the legs, the load for the muscles of the upper body is selected as desired.
A good alternative to jogging and cycling is to work 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. A back-supported exercise bike makes the load on the leg muscles more gentle, as the center of gravity shifts to the back.
Fitness and gymnastics
Classes with small physical exertion with varicose veins are permissible subject to the rules:
- during training, wrap your legs with an elastic bandage or wear compression clothing;
- avoid shock loads, strength exercises;
- correctly perform the movements;
- monitor the condition of the blood vessels.
With the appearance of spider veins, 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 warmed up. Immediately after training, you should give them a rest. It is good to lie on your back, placing your legs above the level of the body. This will help to 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 can not expose the body to heavy loads, you should avoid intense running, cycling. Contraindications for sports - an advanced form of the disease: obvious swelling of the vessels, the presence of nodes. Independent exercises can provoke 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 smoking cessation, alcohol abuse. A long stay in high heels, abuse of hot baths and saunas has a bad effect on blood vessels.