Lizzie Catt roller skates to manage her condition Tuesday 22 July, 2008 Staying active doesn't just ensure we remain fit and healthy, it can help our bodies recover from injury and illness and manage chronic conditions and disabilities. Roller-skating helps strengthen my hips.

Lizzie Catt is a 31 year-old writer from southwest London. When she was born she was diagnosed with congenital dislocation of both hips (CDH). Babies with CDH are born with shallow hip sockets, usually corrected by wearing double nappies, a brace or cast and traction if these fail.

Lizzie eventually underwent surgery to create a socket on the left side before her first birthday. Until my mid 20s, the only noticeable after effect from the surgery I had was an impressive scar on my left leg, which I often produced as a party trick. But, perhaps inevitably, the ligament stretching and bone-realignment that created a hip joint came back to haunt me in the form of increasing discomfort.

Weekly Alexander technique lessons help me unlearn a lifetime of bad habits, banishing pain and managing aches. But I soon realised I needed to start exercising to keep my hip strong in the long term

Not naturally sporty, I went from half-hearted jogging to lethargic lengths of the pool to grim-faced pedalling on the cross-trainer before seeking out a form of exercise disguised as fun roller-skating. Anyone can learn, although I was lucky enough to get some expert tuition from Sean Martin and Tayaran Robinson, veterans of Kylie and Madonnas music videos.

The most important lesson is that confidence is key. Knee and elbow pads and gloves with vital built in wrist support turned me from scaredy cat to daredevil. A strong stationary position using the toe stop will also banish nerves. Beginners are advised to head to skate-friendly parks to get the hang of it.

Keep knees bent and lean forwards, as a gentle stoop to put palms on the ground is infinitely preferable to toppling over backwards if you lose your balance. Believe me, you feel every leg muscle working from the word go. Daily Express fitness expert Jane Taylor believes skating is a great solution for Lizzie, combined with exercises focused on her weak hip.

Roller skating is great for your bum, thighs and hamstrings. It is also fantastic for balance and that brings in both the glute muscles and abdominal support muscles.  But our bodies are intrinsically lazy if your right side is stronger, you will almost always be biasing, so complement skating with some of those rather boring gym exercises such as one-legged squats.

Nokia Skate Almighty is holding a free event in Manchester from July 25 to27 (visit www.skatealmighty.nokia.co.uk). Skates cost from around £55.

Swimming is my secret weapon. Rachel Baird, 36, lives in south London and works for a charity. In 2004 she was diagnosed with the permanent lung condition bronchiectasis. It causes mucus to collect in the lungs, in which harmful bacteria can easily grow, leading to chest infections.

I was very upset by my diagnosis, fearing that I would feel ill for the rest of my life. Bronchiectasis causes recurrent chest infections and can force people to take antibiotics frequently or even all the time. It can also cause breathing difficulties, tiredness and lots of phlegm.

In fact my doctors and I have been pleasantly surprised I have only had one or two chest infections a year and seem to be ill less often than many of my friends. Most of the time I forget there is anything wrong with me. Swimming is my secret weapon. Breathing out while my face is under water seems to help my lungs get rid of the mucus that collects, which helps protect me from infections.

I visit my local pool three times a week before work, covering a mile in less than 50 minutes. I do front crawl, breaststroke and backstroke and it definitely helps that I put my face in the water it makes me work harder to exhale. I can feel the exercise working. Sometimes when I get into the pool, my breathing is wheezy but by the time I have finished, it is always quiet again. I think of swimming as DIY physiotherapy.

Dr Heather Milburn, my wonderful consultant at Guys Hospital in London, says she is convinced that swimming helps me stay so healthy. The only other thing I do for my lungs is to use an inhaler twice a day.

I am no good at any other sport but I have been a regular visitor to the pool since I was about 12 so I am very comfortable in water. However, I started enjoying swimming even more than before when I learned the Shaw method, which was developed by Alexander technique teacher Steven Shaw.

It taught me how to be more streamlined in the water, which feels fantastic. For anyone who hates putting his or her face in the water, the Shaw method is a great way to learn. Besides keeping my lungs healthy, swimming also helps me to stay slim, tones my muscles and makes me feel happy. I hope to be doing it into my 90s.

Jul 08

Source: Daily Express

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