Preparing for Surgery or Treatment? Why Exercise Matters Both Before and After
- joloveszumba
- Jul 13
- 5 min read
If you have an upcoming operation, medical procedure or course of treatment planned, exercise may be one of the most important things you can do to support your body.
Many people assume they should rest as much as possible before surgery and wait until they are fully recovered before becoming active again. While there are certainly times when rest is essential, research increasingly shows that appropriate movement before and after treatment can improve outcomes, speed recovery and help people regain confidence more quickly.
This doesn't mean training for a marathon or pushing yourself to exhaustion. In fact, gentle, consistent movement is often the most effective approach.
Whether you're preparing for a hip replacement, knee surgery, cancer treatment, cardiac procedure or another planned medical intervention, staying as active as your healthcare team allows can make a real difference.
What Is "Prehabilitation" - Before Surgery
You may have heard the term "prehab" or "prehabilitation."
Simply put, prehabilitation means improving your physical fitness before surgery or treatment so that your body is in the best possible condition to cope with what lies ahead.
Think of it like preparing for a long journey. The stronger, fitter and healthier you are at the start, the better equipped you are to handle the challenges along the way.
Prehabilitation can include:
Improving cardiovascular fitness
Maintaining muscle strength
Enhancing balance and coordination
Supporting flexibility and mobility
Managing stress and anxiety
Developing healthy habits
Many NHS trusts now actively encourage patients awaiting surgery to participate in some form of exercise programme where appropriate.
Why Strength Matters
One of the biggest challenges after surgery is muscle loss.
Even a short period of inactivity can lead to reduced muscle strength, particularly as we get older.
This is especially important for adults over 50 because muscle mass naturally declines with age.
The stronger you are before surgery, the more reserve you have during recovery.
For example:
If you're having a knee replacement, stronger leg muscles can help support the joint and make rehabilitation exercises easier afterwards.
If you're having abdominal surgery, good overall strength may help you get moving again more comfortably.
If you're undergoing cancer treatment, maintaining strength can help combat fatigue and preserve independence.
This is one reason why strength-based classes such as Lift & Laugh can be so valuable. Building functional strength doesn't just help us feel stronger today—it can support us through future health challenges too.
The Benefits of Cardiovascular Fitness
Your heart and lungs play a vital role during surgery and recovery.
Activities that gently raise your heart rate help improve circulation and oxygen delivery throughout the body.
Better cardiovascular fitness may contribute to:
Improved stamina
Better recovery from anaesthesia
Reduced risk of complications
Greater energy levels during rehabilitation
Improved mood and wellbeing
The good news is that cardiovascular exercise doesn't need to be intense.
Walking, swimming, cycling, Zumba Gold and other low-impact activities can all contribute to improved fitness.
The key is consistency.
Exercise and Mental Wellbeing
Preparing for surgery can be stressful.
It's completely normal to feel anxious about procedures, treatment plans or recovery times.
Exercise offers more than physical benefits. It can also help support mental wellbeing by:
Reducing stress hormones
Improving sleep quality
Boosting mood
Increasing confidence
Providing social connection
Many people tell me that attending classes gives them something positive to focus on when they are facing uncertainty. Moving your body can help remind you that you are still capable, strong and resilient, even when life feels challenging.
Recovery: Why Movement Matters Afterwards
Once surgery or treatment is complete, many people are surprised by how quickly healthcare professionals encourage movement.
This is because appropriate activity plays a major role in recovery.
Depending on the procedure, movement can help:
Improve circulation
Reduce the risk of blood clots
Maintain joint mobility
Prevent excessive stiffness
Restore muscle strength
Improve balance and confidence
Support independence
Of course, recovery plans vary enormously.
Always follow the guidance of your surgeon, consultant, physiotherapist or healthcare team.
The goal isn't to do more than advised—it's to do what is appropriate for your stage of recovery.
Start Small and Build Gradually
One of the most common mistakes people make after surgery is expecting too much too soon.
Recovery isn't usually a straight line.
There will often be good days and more challenging days.
The important thing is to focus on gradual progress.
Some days your achievement might be a short walk around the house.
A few weeks later it could be walking to the shops.
Eventually it may be returning to exercise classes and activities you enjoy.
Every step counts.
The Importance of Balance and Mobility
After a period of illness, treatment or reduced activity, balance and coordination can sometimes be affected.
This can lead to reduced confidence and fear of falling.
Exercises that challenge balance safely can help rebuild trust in your body's abilities.
Functional fitness programmes, mobility work and activities such as Zumba Gold all encourage movement in multiple directions, helping to improve coordination and body awareness.
These skills become increasingly important as we age.
Staying Connected During Recovery
One aspect of recovery that is often overlooked is social wellbeing.
Periods of illness or rehabilitation can sometimes feel isolating.
Regular exercise classes offer more than physical activity.
They provide:
Routine
Motivation
Friendship
Encouragement
A sense of normality
Many people find that simply being around others again helps boost confidence and improve mood.
The emotional side of recovery is just as important as the physical side.
Listen to Your Body
While exercise can be incredibly beneficial, it's important to remember that recovery is individual.
Always seek medical advice before beginning or returning to exercise after surgery or treatment.
Pay attention to signs that your body may need more rest, and never compare your progress to someone else's because your journey is unique.
What matters most is moving forward safely and consistently.
The Takeaway
If you are preparing for surgery or treatment, exercise may be one of the best investments you can make in your recovery.
Building strength, maintaining fitness and supporting your mental wellbeing beforehand can help your body cope with the challenges ahead.
After treatment, appropriate movement can aid rehabilitation, restore confidence and help you return to the activities you loce, you don't need to become an athelete your simply need to keep moving in a way that is safe and suitable for you.
Every walk, every stretch, every strength exercise and every dance step contributes to a stronger, more resilient body and that's something worth investing in at any age.
If you'd like to stay active in a friendly, supportive environment, my Zumba Gold and Lift & Laugh classes are designed to help adults improve strength, balance, mobility and cardiovascular fitness at their own pace. I am a certified GP Exercise Referral Instructor so I can work with you to impliment strategies suggested by a physio or GP.
As always, please check with your healthcare team if you are unsure about exercising before or after a medical procedure.
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