Safe Antiaging Full-Body In-Bed Gym and FES for Lazy Persons: Home In-Bed Exercises for Fighting Muscle Weakness in Advanced Age

Fig. 6.1

(a, b) Flexion and extension of the ankles

Fig. 6.2

(a, b) Cycling movements

Fig. 6.3

(a, b) Arms up and arms down

Fig. 6.4

Deep breathing

Fig. 6.5

(a, b) Forward bending

Fig. 6.6

To raise the pelvis

Fig. 6.7

(a–d) Neck torsions

Fig. 6.8

Sit up

Fig. 6.9

(a, b) Lift the legs when in sitting position

Fig. 6.10

Stand up

Fig. 6.11

Get up on toes

Fig. 6.12

Push-up (for the active person)

6.3 Conclusions

If sedentary persons, without major comorbidities but with rest-related muscle weakness, challenge themselves, avoiding stress, in a few days of full-body in-bed gym, they may increase their muscle strength, fatigue resistance, and independence in daily life activities. Cautious in-bed gym may help patient’s recovery after the acute phase of hospitalization, prevent the risk of thromboembolism after surgical interventions, and concur to reduce arterial hypertension [9]. Full-body in-bed gym could mitigate the bad mood that is usually associated to mobility limitations, strengthening patients’ confidence in recovering partial or total independence, thus reducing the risk of accidental falls [10]. However, if elderly persons cannot, or are reluctant to, perform physical exercises, functional electrical stimulation (FES) may mimic them and be almost equally useful [2–6]. In conclusion, it is never too early and it is never too late to increase daily levels of volitional or FES-induced muscle contractions!

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