Moderate-Intensity Exercise: For Our Patients, For Ourselves

Abstract

Even more than the general population, orthopaedic patients suffer from multiple consequences of immobility. Fortunately, most of these patients are physically able to participate in some degree of moderately intense exercise. Helping the orthopaedic patient initiate and adhere to a moderately intense exercise routine is a nursing challenge. This challenge is even more difficult because as nurses, we are often expecting our patients to make a lifestyle change that we have been unable or unwilling to make ourselves. Understanding the health-related benefits that can be derived from participation in moderately intense exercise routines and the recommended guidelines for exercise frequency and intensity is a first step toward initiating a fitness routine. Using information acquired from research, nurses can assess for specific facilitators and barriers to exercise participation. This assessment data can then be used to individualize plans for exercise that meet the fitness needs of our patients and ourselves.

The lifestyle behaviours and exercise beliefs of undergraduate student nurses

“…Despite this, Darker et al (2007) found that walking is not always valued as a form of exercise as some people consider it too low in intensity to be of benefit. However, Konradi and Anglin (2001) suggested that physical activity can be divided into moderate and vigorous intensity levels and brisk walking is an example of moderate activity. These levels are significant, as the World Health Organization (2007) stated that adults must exercise for 30 minutes a day at a moderate or vigorous intensity levels if health benefits are to be achieved.…”

“…Physical activity can be divided into moderate and vigorous intensity levels; brisk walking is an example of moderate activity and aerobics an example of vigorous activity (Konradi and Anglin, 2001). Adults are advised to exercise for at least 30 minutes a day at moderate intensity levels (World Health Organization, 2007; Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, 1996).…”

“…This is also supported by the World Health Organization (2007), who stipulated that health care workers must lead by example. Konradi and Anglin (2001) admitted that nurses often expect patients to make lifestyle changes that they have not made themselves. Furthermore, Bandura (1986) cautioned that nurses exhibiting poor lifestyle behaviours may negatively influence the behaviours of others through behaviour modelling.…”