Children and Biokinetics... Let's have some fun! - Nicole Robson (Paladin Biokineticists)

Exercise and physical activity is just as important for children as it is for adults. In today’s society the rate of obesity and overweight children is increasing at an alarming rate. This is consequently leading to an early onset of type two diabetes. Poor posture from bad sitting habits can also cause lead to problems such as muscular imbalances and therefore undue stress on certain joints.

This represents the need for physical activity and exercise. Exercise, monitored by a trained professional such as biokineticist can help manage both chronic and orthopaedic conditions in children.

Biokinetics in children is a specialised form of exercise treatment that assists in long term physical development and also improves mental and emotional well being. Using a fun form of exercise therapy, many conditions can be managed conservatively through activity and exercise.

Conditions that would benefit from Biokinetics include conditions like Autism, ADHD/ADD, low muscle tone, spina bifida, perthes disease, in-toeing and out-teoing, scheurmanns disease, scoliosis, juvenile arthritis, asthma and cystic fibrosis.

Following an assessment the Biokineticist can put together a structured and monitored exercise programme, with the correct and necessary progression based on the child's needs.

In general it is important to develop good lifestyle habits from an early age.

Physical activity, monitored specifically by a biokineticist has a variety of benefits such as:

·         The development of a healthy heart and lungs

·         Increased flexibility

·         Improved balance

·         Enhanced co-ordination

·         Muscle imbalance corrections

·         Postural correction

·         Development of strong bones

·         Weight management

·         decrease  risk of certain diseases

·         improved mood and self-esteem

Early intervention not only slows progression of certain conditions but also helps maintain and prevent further problems in the future.

Diabetes … what’s your type? - Natasha Eekhout (Paladin Biokineticists)

So you have diabetes… let’s not ‘sugar’ coat it. You’ve adjusted your sugar intake and you are changing your overall diet, but what about exercise? Yep these two go hand in hand, whether you are overweight (Type 2) or whether it was genetically passed on (Type 1).

In this day and age, Type 2 diabetes is most common, where our lives are made convenient with take-out meals and video games are more fun than socialising and kicking a ball outside. Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body is unable to use insulin properly or when the body doesn’t make enough insulin, thus making it hard for your body to metabolise sugar. Type 1 diabetes is usually genetic and occurs when the pancreas is unable to produce insulin.

So how do we fix this problem? Ok yes Type 1 diabetes cannot be cured whereas Type 2 can be prevented and managed completely. Although both Types are very different, they can both be approached the same way with healthy eating, lifestyle changes and most importantly physical activity.

Performing exercise sounds easy enough, however there are a few restrictions.  This is when our biokinetics qualifications intervene. Diabetes is a chronic condition and so with it comes a couple considerations to take into account when combining exercise, namely:

• Hypoglycaemia: sudden drops in blood sugar when physically exerted with symptoms such as shakiness, weakness, sweating, anxiety and visual disturbances
•  Hyperglycaemia: mostly a Type 1 concern, symptoms may include fatigue and increased thirst
• Blood glucose monitoring: nedds to be done before, after and during your physical activity
• Timing: Exercise isn’t recommended during periods of high insulin action as hypoglycaemia may result. Exercise in the morning and evening is dependable on the individual
•  Insulin injecting: avoid injecting into exercising limbs
• Supervision: is important and necessary to reduce risks
• Associated retinopathy: high intensity exercise can result in haemorrhaging and retinal detachment
• Thermoregulation: the body’s ability to regulate temperature is skewed
• Overweight: exercises need to be adjusted as to remove increased pressure on vulnerable joints

With all of these taken into consideration, we at Paladin and Associates Biokineticists have developed a specific program to improve your current diabetic condition, aimed to regulate your sugar levels, manage your weight and decrease your associated symptoms.

Feel free to drop us an email or give us a call, and let’s make life a little sweeter for you!

Natasha completed her BSc Sports Science undergraduate degree at The University of Johannesburg and her BHSc honours degree in Biokinetics at The University of the Witwatersrand. 

She has a passion for a variety of sports in particular soccer, tennis, running and kickboxing which have contributed to a strong interest in orthopaedic rehabilitation and working with athletes. Other areas of focus include diabetic and cardiac rehabilitation, as well as weight loss and a keen enthusiasm for working with children of all ages. 

Natasha can be contacted on 082 476 9727 or natashaeekhout@kinetics.co.za