Latest news with #TomWainwright
Times
3 days ago
- Health
- Times
The 1990s workout we should all be doing for our health (and hips)
Spinning is the workout that pedalled its way into UK gyms in the late 1990s and has never disappeared. As fitness trends have come and gone, the gruelling indoor bike workout that is guaranteed to leave you in puddles of sweat has remained a constant. And a new study is the latest to endorse the health benefits of spinning classes. In the study, funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and published in Lancet Rheumatology, researchers from Bournemouth University and University Hospitals Dorset revealed that regular spinning could be more beneficial than physiotherapy for patients with hip osteoarthritis, a condition that the NHS says affects 11 per cent of over-45s. Tom Wainwright, professor of orthopaedics at BU and a physiotherapist at UHD, says his study of 221 people in their early forties to late seventies with diagnosed hip osteoarthritis showed that introducing weekly indoor bike classes at a local leisure centre transformed their recovery by reducing pain, improving function and motivating people to manage their hip pain going forward. Participants in the study were split into two groups: the first was prescribed weekly group cycling sessions — 30-minute classes in the early weeks, progressing to 40 minutes by week six — in combination with a brief physio-led education talk before they started pedalling; the other was just offered a standard one-on-one physiotherapy appointment. • Read more expert advice on healthy living, fitness and wellbeing After two months it was the spinning group that reported the best outcomes. In an earlier study by Wainwright, published in Healthcare journal in 2020, a five-year follow-up showed that, of 83 people with hip osteoarthritis who were introduced to a weekly spinning class for six weeks and encouraged to carry on themselves, most were still using self-management strategies to manage their hip pain five years later. Almost half (45 per cent) had not returned to their GP for further treatment of their hip pain once they started spinning, and 57 per cent had not undergone hip replacement surgery. 'The instinct is to stop exercising when something hurts,' Wainwright says. 'But with osteoarthritis you need to do the opposite and keep using your joints in the right way.' Exercise will help osteoarthritis joint pain only for as long as you keep it up. 'If you do spinning for six weeks and then stop you'll go back to how you were,' Wainwright says. 'So we helped people to prepare how they would continue with their activity when the study was over.' Hip joints respond well to spinning because they are continually mobilised. 'Your good hip is helping to push through your weaker hip in a cyclical motion,' Wainwright says. 'Typically people do between 60-100 revolutions per minute, which is a lot higher movement dose than exercises traditionally recommended as part of physiotherapy rehab.' He adds that even people who hadn't exercised for years were not put off trying it. 'Spinning is very inclusive — nobody knows what resistance your bike is set at or your cadence [revolutions per minute] so it removes comparisons that create barriers for some people,' he says. 'Swimming and aqua aerobic classes have been advocated for people with joint problems in the past, but not everyone wants to put on a swimsuit or trunks and get in a pool, whereas with spinning you can wear what you like within reason.' • The definitive guide to London's gyms for every personality It was the South African cyclist Jonathan 'Jonny G' Goldberg who came up with the idea of spinning classes and who first lured a wave of body-conscious gymgoers to studios with the promise they could burn up to 600 calories an hour by bobbing up and down in unison to music led by an enthusiastic instructor on custom-designed stationary bikes. A 1997 study commissioned by the American Council on Exercise found that the calories per minute burnt in an indoor cycling class ranged from 7.5 to 19, or 'equal to a 150-pound (10.5st) person running a seven-minute mile'. However, the report highlighted that 'compared to running or step aerobics, indoor cycling is a considerably lower-impact exercise' — suggesting that even back then it was considered good news for those with joint problems. I was an early convert — I tried my first class in 1998 and still do a spin-style session at least once a week and more often in the winter. Spinning is 'a gateway class to many other forms of exercise', says Steve Barrett, head of global fitness for Matrix Fitness and a fitness trends analyst, who was a personal trainer in the 1990s when spinning arrived on the gym scene. Over the decades there have been many spin-offs (excuse the pun) including SoulCycle, 1Rebel and Psycle studios, rebranded classes at gym chains and home versions of bike workouts such as Peloton, but the premise of these remains rooted in the original concept. Barrett believes it has stood the test of time because although the premise is simple it has evolved with fitness technology. 'You can now track metrics such as heart rate, watts, distance and calories used in a session and there's added entertainment value such as in-class leaderboards that connect to bikes and wearables.' That said, you can still go at your own pace. 'You can hold back in your first few sessions and be next to someone who has been doing group cycle classes for 20 years,' he says. Follow your instructor's lead, but adjust intensity as required to stay within your comfort zone as you get used to classes. 'Nobody will be any the wiser if you are easing back a bit — you are in total control of your own bike. If it is your first time you can be really gentle with your resistance and build up in the next class.' • The best 5 exercises for tight hips Spinning really does get you fit. In the original ACE study, sports scientists found the heart rates of each spinning class participant to be between 75 per cent and 96 per cent of age-predicted heart-rate maximum, with most of the time spent at the higher end of the range that, they reported, is 'what makes [it] an effective, rewarding exercise'. What's more, Wainwright's study isn't the first to confirm spinning is good for wider health. A review of health benefits by Spanish exercise scientists reporting in Medicina journal revealed that spinning classes and sessions 'may improve aerobic capacity, blood pressure, lipid profile and body composition' whether they were a standalone intervention or performed in conjunction with other exercise and diet changes. And plenty of research has shown that both regular cycling and intervals on an indoor bike are powerful tools for long-term brain protection. I am certainly still a fan. For me, at 56, spinning offers an unrivalled high-intensity workout that complements my regular running. And Barrett says he can't see it disappearing any time soon. 'There are so many new variables in the group cycle genre and as you get better at it and more powerful, there are performance options for real fans,' he says. 'You are never too old to try it and it's not going away.' • Should you push through the pain barrier? Some spin classes incorporate hand weights, adding moves that are specifically designed to work your biceps, triceps, back and chest at the same time as your legs and glutes, but a report by the US Indoor Cycling Association suggested lifting weights as you pedal 'impedes your ability to pedal while reducing your power output', which ultimately means fewer calories burnt. The heavier the weight, the greater the adverse effect. Given weights of 1-3lb don't add much advantage to a spinning class anyway, consider giving them a miss if you are new to spinning and do a separate resistance session instead. Phil Burt, a cycling physiotherapist and author of Bike Fit, says because of the time spent in one or two positions, 'indoor riding potentially exacerbates any imbalances or tightness' in your muscles and joints. 'Get out of your sweaty kit straight after the session and dedicate some time to flexibility and mobility exercises,' he says.
Irish Daily Mirror
02-08-2025
- Health
- Irish Daily Mirror
One exercise ‘better than physio' for people with common issue
A new study suggests that one type of exercise may offer greater benefits than traditional physiotherapy for individuals with a common condition. According to researchers, weekly group spin classes could also be more cost-effective for the NHS and help alleviate long waits for physiotherapy. Hip osteoarthritis, which affects around 3.2 million people in the UK, occurs when the cartilage in the hip deteriorates, leading to pain and reduced mobility. In the study, experts from Bournemouth University and University Hospitals Dorset (UHD) assessed standard physiotherapy against an eight-week programme called Chain (Cycling Against Hip Pain), which combines exercise and education. The research, published in The Lancet Rheumatology, involved 211 participants split roughly evenly between the two treatment groups. Participants in the Chain programme attended weekly 30-minute educational sessions with a physiotherapist, followed by a 30-minute static cycling session led by a gym instructor. Hip osteoarthritis affects around 3.2 million people in the UK (Image: Getty) Researchers used the Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS) for activities of daily living (ADL) to evaluate how hip issues impacted participants' everyday function. Findings revealed that those who completed the cycling classes experienced a 'statistically significant improvement in patient-reported function after treatment'. According to the researchers, the intervention 'showed superior outcomes compared with usual physiotherapy care, and the feasibility of delivering a low-cost, community-based intervention within the NHS was shown'. They noted, however, that the 'longer-term benefits and broader generalisability warrant further investigation'. Professor Tom Wainwright, an orthopaedics expert at Bournemouth University and physiotherapist at UHD, said: 'For the time it takes to treat one patient using standard physiotherapy, we can treat multiple patients in a group session and provide them with better outcomes. 'This has proved to be more cost-effective than standard treatment and so we hope this will contribute to reducing NHS waiting times for physiotherapy treatment in the future.' Will you be trying weekly classes? (Image: Getty) Professor Rob Middleton, an orthopaedic surgeon at UHD and fellow Bournemouth University academic, added: 'Hip replacements cost the NHS over £6,000 per patient, so avoiding surgery for hip problems reduces the burden on the NHS, saves money, and provides better outcomes for patients. 'Now with this new study we can also see the potential for static cycling to save further money for the NHS by bringing down waiting lists for physiotherapy.' Dr Peter Wilson, chief medical officer at UHD, commented: 'We are an ageing population and increasingly we are seeing more patients with osteoarthritis that need either surgery or physiotherapy. Finding alternative ways to treat these patients could help reduce waiting times and the financial demand on NHS services.' Launched in 2013, the Chain programme currently accepts patients referred to UHD by their GP. To expand accessibility, Bournemouth University has developed a virtual version through its educational app, allowing patients to participate remotely from home or at their local gym.
Powys County Times
01-08-2025
- Health
- Powys County Times
Weekly spin class ‘better than physio' for people with common hip issue
Weekly group spin classes could be more beneficial than physiotherapy for people with a common hip problem, a study suggests. The approach could also be more cost-effective for the NHS and could help tackle waiting times for physiotherapy, according to researchers. Hip osteoarthritis happens when the cartilage in the hip breaks down, causing pain and stiffness. It it estimated that the condition affects about 3.2 million people in the UK. For the trial, experts from Bournemouth University and University Hospitals Dorset (UHD) compared usual physiotherapy care with an eight-week exercise and education programme known as Chain (cycling against hip pain). The study, published in The Lancet Rheumatology, included 211 people, with roughly half assigned to each group. The Chain group attended weekly education sessions from a physiotherapist, lasting around 30 minutes, followed by a 30-minute session of static cycling led by a gym instructor. The effects of treatment on patients were measured by the Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS) activities of daily living (ADL) subscale, which assesses how hip problems affect various daily activities. The study found those who completed the cycling classes had a 'statistically significant improvement in patient-reported function after treatment'. Researchers said the method 'showed superior outcomes compared with usual physiotherapy care, and the feasibility of delivering a low-cost, community-based intervention within the NHS was shown'. However, they stress the 'longer-term benefits and broader generalisability warrant further investigation'. Tom Wainwright, a professor of orthopaedics at Bournemouth University and a physiotherapist at UHD, said: 'For the time it takes to treat one patient using standard physiotherapy, we can treat multiple patients in a group session and provide them with better outcomes. 'This has proved to be more cost-effective than standard treatment and so we hope this will contribute to reducing NHS waiting times for physiotherapy treatment in the future.' Professor Rob Middleton, of Bournemouth University and an orthopaedic surgeon at UHD, said: 'Hip replacements cost the NHS over £6,000 per patient, so avoiding surgery for hip problems reduces the burden on the NHS, saves money, and provides better outcomes for patients. 'Now with this new study we can also see the potential for static cycling to save further money for the NHS by bringing down waiting lists for physiotherapy.' Dr Peter Wilson, chief medical officer at UHD, said: 'We are an ageing population and increasingly we are seeing more patients with osteoarthritis that need either surgery or physiotherapy. 'Finding alternative ways to treat these patients could help reduce waiting times and the financial demand on NHS services.' The Chain intervention was first launched in 2013 and patients who wish to take part are referred to UHD from their GP. To bolster access on a national level, experts from Bournemouth University had developed a virtual course on their education app, allowing people to follow the programme from their home or local gym.
North Wales Chronicle
01-08-2025
- Health
- North Wales Chronicle
Weekly spin class ‘better than physio' for people with common hip issue
The approach could also be more cost-effective for the NHS and could help tackle waiting times for physiotherapy, according to researchers. Hip osteoarthritis happens when the cartilage in the hip breaks down, causing pain and stiffness. It it estimated that the condition affects about 3.2 million people in the UK. For the trial, experts from Bournemouth University and University Hospitals Dorset (UHD) compared usual physiotherapy care with an eight-week exercise and education programme known as Chain (cycling against hip pain). The study, published in The Lancet Rheumatology, included 211 people, with roughly half assigned to each group. The Chain group attended weekly education sessions from a physiotherapist, lasting around 30 minutes, followed by a 30-minute session of static cycling led by a gym instructor. The effects of treatment on patients were measured by the Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS) activities of daily living (ADL) subscale, which assesses how hip problems affect various daily activities. The study found those who completed the cycling classes had a 'statistically significant improvement in patient-reported function after treatment'. Researchers said the method 'showed superior outcomes compared with usual physiotherapy care, and the feasibility of delivering a low-cost, community-based intervention within the NHS was shown'. However, they stress the 'longer-term benefits and broader generalisability warrant further investigation'. Tom Wainwright, a professor of orthopaedics at Bournemouth University and a physiotherapist at UHD, said: 'For the time it takes to treat one patient using standard physiotherapy, we can treat multiple patients in a group session and provide them with better outcomes. 'This has proved to be more cost-effective than standard treatment and so we hope this will contribute to reducing NHS waiting times for physiotherapy treatment in the future.' Professor Rob Middleton, of Bournemouth University and an orthopaedic surgeon at UHD, said: 'Hip replacements cost the NHS over £6,000 per patient, so avoiding surgery for hip problems reduces the burden on the NHS, saves money, and provides better outcomes for patients. 'Now with this new study we can also see the potential for static cycling to save further money for the NHS by bringing down waiting lists for physiotherapy.' Dr Peter Wilson, chief medical officer at UHD, said: 'We are an ageing population and increasingly we are seeing more patients with osteoarthritis that need either surgery or physiotherapy. 'Finding alternative ways to treat these patients could help reduce waiting times and the financial demand on NHS services.' The Chain intervention was first launched in 2013 and patients who wish to take part are referred to UHD from their GP. To bolster access on a national level, experts from Bournemouth University had developed a virtual course on their education app, allowing people to follow the programme from their home or local gym.
South Wales Guardian
01-08-2025
- Health
- South Wales Guardian
Weekly spin class ‘better than physio' for people with common hip issue
The approach could also be more cost-effective for the NHS and could help tackle waiting times for physiotherapy, according to researchers. Hip osteoarthritis happens when the cartilage in the hip breaks down, causing pain and stiffness. It it estimated that the condition affects about 3.2 million people in the UK. For the trial, experts from Bournemouth University and University Hospitals Dorset (UHD) compared usual physiotherapy care with an eight-week exercise and education programme known as Chain (cycling against hip pain). The study, published in The Lancet Rheumatology, included 211 people, with roughly half assigned to each group. The Chain group attended weekly education sessions from a physiotherapist, lasting around 30 minutes, followed by a 30-minute session of static cycling led by a gym instructor. The effects of treatment on patients were measured by the Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS) activities of daily living (ADL) subscale, which assesses how hip problems affect various daily activities. The study found those who completed the cycling classes had a 'statistically significant improvement in patient-reported function after treatment'. Researchers said the method 'showed superior outcomes compared with usual physiotherapy care, and the feasibility of delivering a low-cost, community-based intervention within the NHS was shown'. However, they stress the 'longer-term benefits and broader generalisability warrant further investigation'. Tom Wainwright, a professor of orthopaedics at Bournemouth University and a physiotherapist at UHD, said: 'For the time it takes to treat one patient using standard physiotherapy, we can treat multiple patients in a group session and provide them with better outcomes. 'This has proved to be more cost-effective than standard treatment and so we hope this will contribute to reducing NHS waiting times for physiotherapy treatment in the future.' Professor Rob Middleton, of Bournemouth University and an orthopaedic surgeon at UHD, said: 'Hip replacements cost the NHS over £6,000 per patient, so avoiding surgery for hip problems reduces the burden on the NHS, saves money, and provides better outcomes for patients. 'Now with this new study we can also see the potential for static cycling to save further money for the NHS by bringing down waiting lists for physiotherapy.' Dr Peter Wilson, chief medical officer at UHD, said: 'We are an ageing population and increasingly we are seeing more patients with osteoarthritis that need either surgery or physiotherapy. 'Finding alternative ways to treat these patients could help reduce waiting times and the financial demand on NHS services.' The Chain intervention was first launched in 2013 and patients who wish to take part are referred to UHD from their GP. To bolster access on a national level, experts from Bournemouth University had developed a virtual course on their education app, allowing people to follow the programme from their home or local gym.
