Short term “prehabilitation” strength exercises, undertaken pre-surgery, do not prevent muscle loss
Older adults about to undergo elective surgery should undertake a sustained program of targeted exercise beforehand to counteract the muscle-wasting effects of bedrest, new research suggests.
A study published by researchers in the University of Birmingham's School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences showed that short term 'prehabilitation' strength exercises, undertaken pre-surgery, are insufficient to prevent muscle loss.
In the study, the researchers asked a group of older adults to perform four sessions of weight lifting exercise over one week. The participants did the exercises using only one leg, while the other leg did no exercise at all.