Bayer HealthCare is introducing a fitness program to help children ages 7-12 and young adults ages 13-16 with hemophilia A live active lives. "Living Fit! A Joint Effort" is a unique strength training, fitness and wellness program created to increase awareness of the importance of exercise and nutrition among this population and their caregivers.
Fitness and healthy eating are especially important because strong muscles and a lower body weight may help maintain joint health, an important consideration for people with hemophilia A. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the rates of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents with hemophilia are similar to those among the general population, which are currently at epidemic proportions.
Living Fit! is designed to help protect and maintain joints before they become damaged from repeated bleeds. The program offers videos, information and resources, available at www.livingwithhemophilia.com/webapp/livingfit, designed to promote a healthy lifestyle and engagement in appropriate types of exercise. It focuses on four pillars of health: general wellness, nutrition, cardiovascular exercises and strengthening exercises.
Living Fit! was inspired by Corey Pierce, a 24-year-old with hemophilia A and a former participant in the Bayer Hemophilia Leadership Development Program.
"I am thrilled to be able to introduce Living Fit! to help people like me maintain a healthy body – and healthy joints – as we continue to grow and develop into adulthood," Pierce said. "It is my hope that the program can be a valuable, relevant resource for future generations of young people living with hemophilia."
A Living Fit! symposium is being held at November's annual meeting of the National Hemophilia Foundation to further encourage members of the hemophilia community to embrace fitness. The symposium will feature the Season 5 at-home winner from NBC's "The Biggest Loser®," Bernie Salazar, and nutrition expert Rebecca Scritchfield, RD, who will be there to help motivate attendees.
Living Fit! also offers FactorTrack™, the first free, personal and interactive mobile application that helps make it easier to track and record factor infusions. Living Fit! also includes downloadable fitness guidelines, designed by a team of physical therapists who work with people with hemophilia A. FactorTrack and the guidelines are available at www.livingwithhemophilia.com/webapp/livingfit. In addition, a Living Fit! Patient Kit, including educational materials and a DVD with demonstrations of the program's components, are available through Bayer Hemophilia Account Executives.
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