Aerobic Exercise Plan for Obese Patient: A Case Study Analysis

This report presents a case study focusing on an obese individual (275lbs) experiencing gait abnormalities and joint pain, where an aerobic exercise plan is proposed. The plan, designed to improve the patient's quality of life, includes aquatic training (walking in water), aerobic cycling, and aerobic kicking, gradually increasing the intensity and duration over five days. The rationale behind the exercise selection is to reduce the negative impact of obesity, manage joint pain, and address gait abnormalities. The exercise program also aims to mitigate the risks associated with obesity, such as osteoarthritis, hypertension, and diabetes, by promoting weight management and improving blood glucose and pressure levels. The report emphasizes the benefits of aerobic exercise, especially water-based activities, to reduce the strain on joints and encourage physical activity. The document references several research studies supporting the efficacy of aerobic exercise in managing the patient's conditions.

Running head: AEROBIC EXERCISE
AEROBIC EXERCISE
Name of the student:
Name of the university
Author note

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AEROBIC EXERCISE
According to World Health Organization (2019), obesity is considered as the risk factor
of many chronic physical and mental illness, which possesses a negative impact on the quality of
life. One of the significant effects of obesity is observed to be walking and moving disability.
This discussion involves the case study of an obese individual of weight 275lbs having
complaints of gait abnormalities and joint pain. The discussion focusses on the aerobic exercise
which can be effective for the treatment of the patient and the rationale for the chosen activity.
By assessing the weight of the patient, it is observed that the weight of the patient is more
according to their age and height. Therefore, it is recommended that the patient is encouraged to
involve in physical activity to maintain quality of life. According to the research conducted by
Owens and Conaghan (2016), aerobic exercise is one of the most effective tools for the
management of joint pain and the gait abnormalities. Hence, I would recommend that to the
patient to reduce the negative impact of obesity on the overall health. The physical activity plan
is formulated by analysing the physical stability of the individual.
A five-day sample plan is formulated for the patient. On the 1st day the past is allowed to
walk in the water for the time period of 15-20. In the case of aerobic walking, the individual does
not move from one place to another and remain at a stationary position (Rongen et al. 2015). As
it is the first day of the exercise, the aquatic training time is less to avoid any physical harm.
On 2nd day, the patient is recommended to do aerobic cycling. In aerobic cycling, patient
moves similarly as in the case of cycling. As it is patient’s first day to do aerobic cycling, the
time-period is 10-20 minutes. It will help to relax and contract the calf muscle of the patient.
On 3rd day, the patient is recommended to do aerobic walking again. However this time,
the time duration of the exercise is increased from 10-15 minutes to 30 minutes per day.

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AEROBIC EXERCISE
On 4th day the individual is recommended to involve in aerobic cycling for the time
duration of 20-25 minutes.
On 5th day the patient is again suggested to involve in aerobic walking for the time
duration of 30-40 minutes. On the fifth day, the patient is also recommended to perform aerobic
kicking (Law et al. 2015).
The aerobic exercise of the patient is made intense day by day and is also evaluated at
regular intervals to assess the effectiveness of the water-bearing training in reducing weight and
treating gait abnormalities and joint pain.
As obese patients do not involve much in physical activity due to their excessive weight,
aerobic exercise supports them to do physical activity. In the aerobic exercise their body remains
submerged in the water due to which they do not feel excessive pressure on their calf muscle and
aids in motivating to do exercise (Kisner, Colby, and Borstad 2017).
As the weight of the patient is 275lbs, they cannot start from much intense exercise;
hence the physical activity plan is formulated on that perception.
By observing the weight of the patient it can be stated that the patient is at a high risk of
osteoarthritis. Physical aerobic exercise such as; Aerobic walking, cycling, and kicking decrease
the risk of osteoarthritis in obese patient (Goh et al. 2018). As the risk of hypertension and
diabetes is also high in the case of over-weight patient, weight-bearing aerobic exercise also aids
in lowering the blood glucose level and the blood pressure of the individual (Assis et al. 2016).
This aerobic exercise will help the individual in supporting their joint complications and
allow strengthening or the contraction of the calf muscles. It also helps in walking and doing

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AEROBIC EXERCISE
exercise by remaining at a stationary position without actually involved in walking or running. In
this case, as half of the body remains submerged, hence the water bears the weight.
From the above essay, it can be stated that obesity and joint pain are correlated to each
other. For the treatment of gait abnormalities in obese patients, aerobic physical activity is
continuing to be one of the most effective tools by relax and contract the calf muscle of the
patient Different aerobic training has been recommended for the patient such as, aerobic
walking, aerobic kicking and aerobic running which will help in supporting the joints of the
patient and allows strengthening and contraction of the muscles.

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AEROBIC EXERCISE
References:
Assis, L., Milares, L.P., Almeida, T., Tim, C., Magri, A., Fernandes, K.R., Medalha, C. and
Renno, A.M., 2016. Aerobic exercise training and low-level laser therapy modulate
inflammatory response and degenerative process in an experimental model of knee osteoarthritis
in rats. Osteoarthritis and cartilage, 24(1), pp.169-177.
Goh, S.L., Persson, M.S.M., Stocks, J., Hou, Y.F., Lin, J.H., Hall, M., Doherty, M. and Zhang,
W., 2018. FRI0546 Relative efficacy of different exercises in knee and hip osteoarthritis.
Kisner, C., Colby, L.A. and Borstad, J., 2017. Therapeutic exercise: Foundations and
techniques. Fa Davis.
Law, R.J., Saynor, Z.L., Gabbitas, J., Jones, J., Kraus, A., Breslin, A., Maddison, P.J. and Thom,
J.M., 2015. The effects of aerobic and resistance exercise on markers of large joint health in
stable rheumatoid arthritis patients: a pilot study. Musculoskeletal care, 13(4), pp.222-235.
Owens, C. and Conaghan, P.G., 2016. Improving joint pain and function in osteoarthritis. The
Practitioner, 260(1799), pp.17-20.
Rongen‐van Dartel, S.A.A., Repping‐Wuts, H., Flendrie, M., Bleijenberg, G., Metsios, G.S., Van
den Hout, W.B., van den Ende, C.H.M., Neuberger, G., Reid, A., van Riel, P.L.C.M. and
Fransen, J., 2015. Effect of aerobic exercise training on fatigue in rheumatoid arthritis: a meta‐
analysis. Arthritis care & research, 67(8), pp.1054-1062.
World Health Organization (2019). WHO | Obesity. [online] Who.int. Available at:
https://www.who.int/topics/obesity/en/ [Accessed 28 Sep. 2019].