Flying Fitness: Preventing "Killer Legs"

Sitting for long periods of time in cramped conditions on an airplane can put you at risk for developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT). A DVT is a blood clot that forms in a vein deep in the body - most often in the leg or hip veins.

If a clot in a vein breaks off and travels through your bloodstream, it can lodge in your lung. This is called a pulmonary embolism that is a very serious condition that can cause death.

To help prevent DVT on a long airline flight:

• Dress in loose, comfortable clothing.
• Take a brisk, 30-minute walk before you take off.
• Drink plenty of water or juice, but avoid alcohol. (Because the air inside an airplane is very dry, passengers can easily become dehydrated. When a person is dehydrated, their blood thickens and puts them at risk for blood clots.)
• While seated, regularly shift your position, do stretches, partial leg lifts, flex and extend your ankles, and do ankle circles.
• Get out of your seat and move around at least once every hour if possible.
• Don`t cross your legs.
• If you have had a problem with blood clots in the past, your healthcare provider may suggest you wear compression hose to improve circulation.

For more exercises for fitness while flying, download "In-Flight Fitness" from website: http://www.dvt.net/pdf/InFlightFitness.pdf

Sources: "While Traveling" and "In-Flight Fitness," DVT.NET, sponsored by Aventis
www.dvt.net