Read what I said!
,,,,a sedentary lifestyle does not automatically equate to what scientific opinion would regard as being deconditioned
There are various ways of defining deconditioned - from deconditioned light to deconditioned heavy
In relation to deconditioned individuals being used as controls in ME/CFS research I would want to use people who had physiological evidence of deconditioning (as set out below) rather than the 'couch potatoes' reconditioning.
After experiencing an injury or with any chronic disease, it is common to experience deconditioning, a physical and/or psychological decline in function. Prolonged bed rest and inactivity can affect nearly all systems of the body. Some of these effects include:
-Cardiovascular (heart): decrease in cardiac output, faster heart rates at rest and with activity, decreased blood pressure in upright positions (orthostatic hypotension), decreased ability to exercise.
-Pulmonary (lungs): mild lung collapse, pneumonia, decreased oxygen to the organs (hypoxemia), increased difficulty breathing with activity and at rest.
-Muscles and bones: decreased muscle size, increased weakness (atrophy), osteoporosis, contractures, osteoarthritis, loss of flexibility.
-Digestive (gastrointestinal and bowel): loss of appetite, constipation.
-Urinary: loss of bladder control (incontinence), bladder infection, electrolyte imbalance.
-Blood: tendency to develop blood clots (thromboembolism), blood thickening (increased blood viscosity).
-Endocrine: impaired response to insulin, high blood sugar (hyperglycemia), nausea.
-Skin: pressure ulcers or wounds.
-Functional: decrease performance in Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and activity endurance, impaired balance and coordination.
-Psychological: confusion, disorientation, anxiety, depression.