When a person is admitted to hospital for any reason – whether due to illness or to undergo surgery – it’s expected they will spend the duration of their stay resting in bed while they recover. While rest is important, too much sitting or bed rest can actually make matters worse, with research showing it can slow recovery and lead to more health problems.
Our latest study shows that physical activity may help to counteract the effects of bed rest. We found that even just 25 minutes a day of walking while in hospital can significantly speed up recovery for older adults – and it may also prevent new hospital stays in the future.
