2023-09-06 12:47:49
Every week, Dr. Jean-Marc Sène, sports doctor, presents his sports column in Priorité Santé. Today, he tells us about sports practice when you have sickle cell disease, a common genetic disease.
Published on: 06/09/2023 – 12:47
2 mn
Is it recommended to exercise when you have sickle cell disease?
Well yes, the benefits of regular sports activity are now recognized, as for any chronic disease. More and more studies suggest that regular physical activity could reduce the risk of complications in people with a milder form (heterozygous form) of the disease.
Sickle cell disease is a hereditary disease (probably the first genetic disease in the world) of the hemoglobin contained in red blood cells.
To listen also Sickle cell disease: 120 million people affected
The practice of regular physical activity is also strongly recommended for young people with sickle cell disease, because it allows them to get to know themselves, to gradually adapt to the effort, to manage their fatigue and shortness of breath due to their anemia. We now know that regular physical activity will reduce the frequency of so-called “vaso-occlusive” painful crises (obstruction of small blood vessels, linked to the low deformability of red blood cells). However, some precautions should be taken…
What are these precautions?
Certain precautions should be taken to avoid the occurrence of painful crises:
Stay well hydrated before, during and after exercise. Take your fatigue into account. For example, during a long race, it is better to respect your rhythm and finish the race rather than wanting to go too fast and having to stop prematurely. Remember to change your wet clothes when you have perspired (always have a change of clothes on you). In the mountains, do not go above an altitude of 1,500 meters due to the lack of oxygen In the swimming pool, only swim when the water is below 25°C, get out of the water before to be cold and remember to dry off immediately after bathing. Do not forget in the sports bag: a large bottle of water a towel a change of clothes a sweater or a sweatshirt
Can we compete?
Yes, but if you want to compete, talk to your sickle cell doctor. People with sickle cell disease can practice almost all sports except those with pressure difference (scuba diving, parachute jumping, etc.) or those associated with intense stress (bungee jumping, etc.).
You should also be careful:
sports with repeated impulses straining the articular system contact sports, especially in children, in case of splenomegaly (large spleen)
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