Fitness coach Joe Wicks has joined forces with health organisations to release exercise videos for people awaiting surgery. The two 10-minute online routines have been produced in partnership with the Centre for Perioperative Care (CPOC), PIF member Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and the British Geriatrics Society. CPOC is a cross-organisational initiative led by PIF member the Royal College of Anaesthetists.
The new videos aim to increase activity levels in people waiting for an operation and help them recover quicker. They are particularly suitable for older people.
Professor Jugdeep Dhesi, CPOC deputy director, said: "Use whatever time you have before your surgery to get yourself as fit as possible. Walk up your stairs a few times a day, pop to the corner shop – anything that will increase your activity levels. Doing this for even a few minutes a day, two weeks before your operation can make a real difference."
There are 7,000 surgical operations every day in the UK, and up to 1 in 7 people get complications after surgery. However, increased activity and improved lifestyle choices ahead of surgery helps reduce these complications.
Joe Wicks, The Body Coach, said: “I’ve always believed that movement is medicine, and the medical evidence now backs that up. These simple exercises will help anyone who is waiting for an operation to give themselves the best chance of a quicker recovery afterwards and get back to their loved ones.”
The fitness videos are available on the Bodycoach YouTube channel.