New Webinar Recording: Physical Activity and Sport with Primary Lymphoedema

What the webinar covers

The webinar is presented by Prof Nele Devoogdt, Physiotherapist, Researcher, and Professor at KU Leuven, Belgium. Prof Devoogdt founded the lymphoedema centre at UZ Leuven in 2011, which is recognised as an expert centre for paediatric and primary lymphoedema within VASCERN. She is a member of the Paediatric and Primary Lymphedema Working Group (PPL-WG). 

In her presentation, Prof Devoogdt covers:

• How the lymphatic system works and why oedema develops
• How muscle contractions stimulate lymphatic resorption and transport
• The scientific evidence showing that physical activity reduces oedema volume 
• The benefits of hydrotherapy and water-based exercise
• How physical activity improves cardiovascular endurance, muscle strength, balance, and mental wellbeing 

Live Q&A: Common patient questions answered

The presentation is followed by a live Q&A session featuring Dr Kirsten van Duinen, Dermatologist at Nij Smellinghe Hospital in the Netherlands, and Manuela Lourenço Marques, patient advocate and President of andLINFA (Portugal). Both are members of the PPL Working Group. 

Questions addressed during the session include:

• Can I do any sport I like with lymphoedema?
• Are resistance exercises safe, or will they increase swelling?
• What about specific sports like golf or handball?
• Do I need to wear compression while exercising?
• What should I do if I experience pain during exercise?
• Can exercise help prevent lymphoedema from getting worse?
• Is the advice different for primary and secondary lymphoedema?

5 Key Takeaways

Short on time? Below are five key takeaways from the webinar. You can also view and share these takeaways on our LinkedIn page.