Yesterday, I read with great interest on the Phonex Rising website the article Treating Chronic Fatigue Syndrome(M.E/CFS): 'Exercise'.
However, I didn't fully understand the bullet point on strengthening activities and I was wondering if anyone could clarify things for me futher, it would be much appreciated and thank you in advance.
The section on strengthening activties writes as follows:
...'Strength training should initially be limited to 30-60 seconds with at least 1 minute of rest in between and a maximum of 3-5 intervals per session. Start with 2-4 repetitions and build up to a maximum of eight. The total amount of activity in a single session should not exceed 20 minutes'.
My confusion is what exactly does 'a maximum of 3-5 intervals per session' mean? Should I read the word 'interval' as another word for 'rest', so it is saying you shouldn't ever go beyond 3-5 repeats of maximum 8 reps? Also does this advice apply for just the bit of your body you are working on, so for example a maximum of 3-5 repeat reps applies to just say working the biceps, or should i read it as a maximum of 3-5 intervals for strength training on your whole body?
I should note that I have had M.E for 12 years and severe M.e for the last seven, so I would be starting any attempt at strength training at the lowest possible level and at the moment still think stretching is the only thing within my limits, but am hoping if I improve a bit i can start at some point to do some gentle strengthening exercises. When I have attempted this in the past, I have always had a huge flare up of symptoms, so know i am doing too much.
Thanks in advance.
However, I didn't fully understand the bullet point on strengthening activities and I was wondering if anyone could clarify things for me futher, it would be much appreciated and thank you in advance.
The section on strengthening activties writes as follows:
...'Strength training should initially be limited to 30-60 seconds with at least 1 minute of rest in between and a maximum of 3-5 intervals per session. Start with 2-4 repetitions and build up to a maximum of eight. The total amount of activity in a single session should not exceed 20 minutes'.
My confusion is what exactly does 'a maximum of 3-5 intervals per session' mean? Should I read the word 'interval' as another word for 'rest', so it is saying you shouldn't ever go beyond 3-5 repeats of maximum 8 reps? Also does this advice apply for just the bit of your body you are working on, so for example a maximum of 3-5 repeat reps applies to just say working the biceps, or should i read it as a maximum of 3-5 intervals for strength training on your whole body?
I should note that I have had M.E for 12 years and severe M.e for the last seven, so I would be starting any attempt at strength training at the lowest possible level and at the moment still think stretching is the only thing within my limits, but am hoping if I improve a bit i can start at some point to do some gentle strengthening exercises. When I have attempted this in the past, I have always had a huge flare up of symptoms, so know i am doing too much.
Thanks in advance.