The purpose of this policy is to outline guidelines and recommendations to encourage and support individuals to exercise safely. It is important to note that all exercise undertaken is at the discretion and risk of the individual.
Health and Exercise Safety Policy
PreActiv encourages individuals to exercise responsibly and to maintain their personal safety during physical activity. We provide these general guidelines and recommendations for safe exercise, but it is ultimately the individual's responsibility to adhere to these guidelines and exercise at their own risk. Advice provided by PreActiv is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
Any change to medical conditions or newly sustained injuries must be reported to PreActiv via a Support Request (please log in to your account to do this) for assessment of your ongoing suitability for exercise and further tailoring of your programme as required. Failure to inform PreActiv of changes to medical conditions is a breach of the Terms and Conditions.
The next two tables list concerning symptoms that individuals should be aware of before undertaking exercise. Different symptoms are relevant when using PreActiv before surgery, after surgery, or during cancer treatment. It is the responsibility of the individual to be aware of symptoms that are relevant to their situation and to take appropriate action as recommended in this policy.
| Symptom | Before surgery | After surgery | On cancer treatment |
|---|---|---|---|
| New or unexplained chest, arm, or jaw pain | Applies before surgery | Applies after surgery | Applies on cancer treatment |
| New or worsening shortness of breath (not improving with rest) | Applies before surgery | Applies after surgery | Applies on cancer treatment |
| New or worsening irregular heartbeat or strong palpitations | Applies before surgery | Applies after surgery | Applies on cancer treatment |
| Fainting, loss of consciousness, or feeling you might pass out | Applies before surgery | Applies after surgery | Applies on cancer treatment |
| Sudden weakness, numbness, or paralysis (especially on one side) | Applies before surgery | Applies after surgery | Applies on cancer treatment |
| Unexplained pain, redness, or swelling in one limb | Applies before surgery | Applies after surgery | Applies on cancer treatment |
| Sudden severe headache, confusion, or difficulty speaking or seeing | Applies before surgery | Applies after surgery | Applies on cancer treatment |
| Fever or infection | Applies on cancer treatment | ||
| Surgical site opening or bleeding profusely | Applies after surgery | ||
| Any other sudden or severe symptom that worries you | Applies before surgery | Applies after surgery | Applies on cancer treatment |
| Symptom | Before surgery | After surgery | On cancer treatment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fever or infection | Applies before surgery | Applies after surgery | 999Call 999 on cancer treatment |
| Severe vomiting or diarrhoea preventing replenishment | Applies before surgery | Applies after surgery | Applies on cancer treatment |
| Severe fatigue or weakness, or a haemoglobin less than 80 g/dl, indicative of anaemia | Applies before surgery | Applies after surgery | Applies on cancer treatment |
| A flare up of osteoarthritis | Applies before surgery | Applies after surgery | Applies on cancer treatment |
| A surgical site infection (e.g., itchy, red, inflamed, warm, leaking pus or blood) | Applies after surgery | ||
| Severe eating difficulties leading to weight loss | Applies on cancer treatment | ||
| Bleeding from any source | Applies on cancer treatment | ||
| Your cancer treatment delayed because of side effects, low blood counts, infection, or another medical reason (you should only resume exercise when you are well enough to have treatment) | Applies on cancer treatment | ||
| Any new or unusual symptom that worries you | Applies before surgery | Applies after surgery | Applies on cancer treatment |
If you are concerned about any new or developing symptoms, consider speaking to your GP, pharmacist, or hospital team. If you are ever unsure whether it's safe to exercise, please pause and check with a healthcare professional.
If you are finding it difficult to balance when performing a particular exercise you should stop doing the exercise to avoid falling. Contact Support (please log in to your account to do this) to request an adjustment to your programme.
Individuals are responsible for ensuring a safe exercise space by identifying and addressing any potential hazards such as slip, trip, or fall risks. It is encouraged that exercises are done in an open area with no nearby obstructions and not too close to adjacent furniture. Individuals should also consider fixtures above their heads which could inadvertently be contacted during exercise. Exercise should be conducted in a well-lit and adequately ventilated area with a suitable temperature. If exercising outside, it is important to choose an area of firm, level, and dry ground.
Individuals are responsible for selecting appropriate, robust equipment for use during exercise sessions, such as chairs and weights. Checks and maintenance of the ongoing safety of selected exercise equipment are the responsibility of the individual.
Individuals using falls/personal alarms are encouraged to have these devices on their person at all times.
It is recommended to have a mobile phone nearby for communication and where possible to ensure there is someone nearby who can offer assistance if required during exercise.
The device used to access sessions should be secure on a level surface at an appropriate height to view the session while exercising. PreActiv is not liable for any damage occurring to devices or any other hardware used during sessions.
Individuals are advised not to wear restrictive clothing that may hinder movement or cause discomfort during exercise. Shoes should be well-fitted and laces secure.
Prior to beginning an exercise session, individuals are encouraged to ensure they are adequately hydrated. Additionally, the PreActiv team recommends keeping a bottle of water nearby during exercise to maintain hydration levels.
Individuals are encouraged to ensure that they have adequate energy (from food) available to complete the exercise session.
Learning and using correct exercise techniques are recommended to minimize the risk of injury. Information and instructions can be found at the beginning of every session.
Individuals are advised to follow the sequence of videos as provided within the platform and should not ignore or skip any section.
Adequate rest between exercise sessions is essential for optimal recovery. Spreading exercise sessions throughout the week is advised. The PreActiv team recommends having a rest day between sessions to allow for adequate recovery.
This policy serves as a set of guidelines to encourage safe exercise practices. By adhering to these guidelines, individuals acknowledge that they are exercising at their own risk and take full responsibility for their actions and well-being during physical activity.
PreActiv is not liable for any injuries, accidents, or health-related issues that may occur during exercise and whilst enrolled onto PreActiv's exercise programme. Individuals are encouraged to seek professional advice before beginning any exercise program, especially if they have underlying health concerns.