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Introduction to Pre-operative Exercise Prescription and Physical Activity Promotion for Clinicians and Exercise Professionals

  • PREHABILITATION (B RIEDEL and S JACK, SECTION EDITORS)
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Abstract

Purpose of review

This review aims to provide clinicians that work in the surgical realm with relevant exercise principles and related research as they consider incorporating prehabilitation into care plans.

Recent Findings

Exercise is a core component of preoperative health optimization strategies referred to as prehabilitation. The exercise component of prehabilitation aims to improve systemic and loco-regional fitness to increase surgical tolerance and facilitate recovery. Studies demonstrate that greater presurgical physical fitness is associated with improved postsurgical treatment complication rates, recovery, and quality of life.

Summary

The safety and effectiveness of an exercise prescription requires individualization to the patient’s medical history, exercise preferences, and functional goals within the context of their imminent treatments. However, research has shown that many health professionals express apprehension or discomfort in providing exercise guidance in clinical settings. As interest in the integration of prehabilitation into clinical care grows, an understanding of how to appropriately prescribe exercise within a pre-treatment setting is required.

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Change history

  • 13 November 2021

    Springer Nature’s version of this paper was updated to display 'D. Santa Mina' correctly in the citation details.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    D. Santa Mina, S. C. Adams & P. Brahmbhatt

  2. Department of Anesthesia and Pain Management, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    D. Santa Mina & P. Brahmbhatt

  3. Ted Rogers Cardiotoxicity Prevention Program, Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    S. C. Adams

  4. Department of Cardiology, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    S. C. Adams

  5. Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, McGill University, 475 Pine Avenue West, Montreal, QC, H2W 1S4, Canada

    V. Ferreira, J. St-Pierre & Celena Scheede-Bergdahl

  6. Perioperative Program, Department of Anesthesia, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

    V. Ferreira, J. St-Pierre & Celena Scheede-Bergdahl

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  1. D. Santa Mina
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Correspondence to Celena Scheede-Bergdahl.

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The authors of this work (D. Santa Mina, SC Adams, P Brahmbhatt, V Ferreira, J St- Pierre, and C Scheede-Bergdahl) all declare they have no conflict of interest.

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Santa Mina, D., Adams, S.C., Brahmbhatt, P. et al. Introduction to Pre-operative Exercise Prescription and Physical Activity Promotion for Clinicians and Exercise Professionals. Curr Anesthesiol Rep 12, 156–165 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40140-021-00491-0

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