What is the POTS Exercise Program?
Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a condition that affects the body’s circulation and overall flow of blood especially when an individual is standing up or laying down. Although there is no cure for POTS, this condition can be managed through diet, medication, and exercise. The POTS exercise protocol is a workout program that focuses on reconditioning your body in order to improve your overall experience with POTS.
What is the POTS exercise program?
Dr. Benjamin Levine, a Dallas-based cardiologist, created the Levine Protocol with the aim of providing a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to exercising with POTS. It is a structured endurance training program that outlines target exertion level and length for each workout. The protocol also includes formulas so that you can find a target heart range for your body specifically, specific exercises for both recumbent and upright positions, and recovery workouts. The protocol is also flexible and can be adapted to your needs.
The training program increases the the number of minutes spent exercising very slowly over 8 months.
The position of your body during exercise matters in this program. You begin with recumbent exercise like swimming, rowing, and recumbent bicycle and work your way up to upright exercises.
In addition to cardio, 2 days per week are devoted to strength training — focusing on exercises that can be done in a chair or on the floor.
How does this exercise program work to improve outcomes and symptoms?
Patients with POTS can face orthostatic and exercise intolerances (meaning it can be difficult to sit up or exercise without having symptoms), so it may be difficult to even imagine that doing cardio or strength training could actually help… but there is a growing evidence base of its effectiveness:
A 2011 study in Hypertension indicated that “exercise training is superior to propranolol at restoring upright hemodynamics, normalizing renal-adrenal responsiveness, and improving quality of life” for patients with POTS.
A 2014 study in Autonomic Neuroscience found that “short-term (i.e., 3 months) exercise training increases cardiac size and mass, blood volume, and peak oxygen in POTS patients. Exercise performance is improved after training.”
A 2012 study in the Journal of Physiology showed that “after training in POTS, heart rate became lower at any given due to increased stroke volume without changes in the – relationship. Peak oxygen increased by 11% due to increased peak stroke volume and was proportional to total blood volume. Peak heart rate was similar, but heart rate recovery from exercise was faster after training than before training. These results suggest that short-term exercise training improves physical fitness and cardiovascular responses during exercise in patients with POTS.”
How can I try the POTS exercise program?
The POTS Exercise Coach, powered by Chronius Health, has created a 34-week workout plan through 130 easy-to-follow videos. These videos follow a modified version of the Levine Protocol created by the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). You can sign up here to get instant access to this free workout program.
Note: The POTS Exercise Coach x Chronius Health has no relationship with or endorsement from Dysautonomia International or the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
The POTS Exercise Coach is available for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. You should obtain professional or specialist advice from your doctor or medical professional (as relevant to your circumstances) before participating in any activities offered in or through the POTS Exercise Coach and never rely on the POTS Exercise Coach in place of seeking professional medical advice.
By accessing the POTS Exercise Coach, you agree that (i) you are voluntarily using or acting upon the POTS Exercise Coach, (ii) your use of or acting upon the POTS Exercise Coach is at your own risk (including, but not limited to, all risk to yourself of harm, injury or illness and in particular any harm, injury or illness resulting from overexertion or exacerbation of any medical conditions caused by the use of the POTS Exercise Coach), and (iii) to the fullest extent permitted by law, the POTS Exercise Coach makes no warranty of any kind, implied or express, as to its accuracy, completeness or appropriateness for any purpose.
How Chronius Can Help
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