3.4 Describe potential adverse reactions to exercise and the procedure for dealing with them

This guide will help you answer 3.4 Describe potential adverse reactions to exercise and the procedure for dealing with them.

Potential Adverse Reactions to Exercise

Exercise is usually safe for most people, but in a healthcare and social care setting it can bring risks for certain individuals. Some service users may have medical conditions or mobility issues that increase these risks. Staff must be able to recognise potential adverse reactions quickly to safeguard the person and prevent harm.

Adverse reactions are unwanted or harmful effects. These can range from mild symptoms to severe medical emergencies. They can happen during exercise, straight after, or even hours later. The risk may be linked to underlying health problems, age, level of fitness, or the type and intensity of the activity.

Common adverse reactions include:

• Breathlessness that is not expected for the activity level
• Chest pain or tightness
• Dizziness, loss of balance or fainting
• Unusual sweating or clamminess
• Abnormal heart rate or palpitations
• Muscle cramps or severe joint pain
• Nausea or vomiting
• Sudden weakness or numbness in limbs
• Changes in skin colour such as pale, blue or flushed appearance
• Anxiety, confusion or difficulty speaking during activity

Cardiovascular Reactions

Cardiovascular means relating to the heart and blood vessels. Exercise increases heart rate and blood flow. For most people this is safe, but sometimes reactions can be harmful.

Examples include:

• Angina pain caused when the heart does not get enough oxygen
• Arrhythmia, which is an irregular heartbeat pattern
• Blood pressure dropping suddenly, leading to dizziness or fainting
• Heart attack symptoms such as severe chest pain, sweating and shortness of breath

These reactions can be life-threatening. Staff should stop the activity at once and get medical help.

Respiratory Reactions

The respiratory system is the lungs and airways. During exercise, breathing becomes faster and deeper. Some people may develop breathing problems due to existing conditions or the intensity of activity.

Signs can include:

• Shortness of breath that worsens quickly
• Wheezing or noisy breathing
• Asthma attack triggered by exercise
• Sudden inability to speak during exertion

If a service user shows these signs, the session needs to be stopped and appropriate interventions given. For asthma this can include helping them use their inhaler.

Musculoskeletal Reactions

Musculoskeletal refers to muscles, bones, joints, ligaments and tendons. Reactions here are often linked to injury during exercise. They can be minor or severe.

Potential reactions:

• Sprains caused by stretching ligaments too far
• Strains from overstretched muscle fibres
• Joint swelling linked to arthritis flare-ups
• Severe back or neck pain during activity

These may stop a person from continuing exercise and could need assessment by a physiotherapist or nurse.

Neurological Reactions

The neurological system involves the brain and nerves. Adverse neurological reactions during exercise can be a sign of a serious medical incident.

These can include:

• Loss of coordination
• Slurring of speech or facial drooping
• Sudden headache that feels severe and unusual
• Seizures

Such reactions could mean the person is having a stroke or epileptic episode. Quick response is needed.

Psychological Reactions

Exercise can trigger anxiety or distress for some people. This is more common in individuals with certain mental health conditions or traumatic experiences. Reactions may appear as:

• Sudden panic or anxiety
• Crying or withdrawal from activity
• Refusal to continue due to fear or distress

Staff should recognise that mental health reactions are as important as physical ones.

Allergic Reactions

Allergic reactions during exercise are rare, but can happen if the person comes into contact with allergens in the environment or exercise equipment. Some reactions are minor, others can be life-threatening.

Signs are:

• Skin rash or hives
• Swelling of lips, tongue or throat
• Difficulty breathing
• Collapse

Anaphylaxis, which is a severe allergic reaction, requires immediate emergency intervention.

Procedures for Dealing with Adverse Reactions

Healthcare and support staff must follow clear procedures when a service user has an adverse reaction to exercise. The aim is to protect the person, give quick help and escalate concerns if needed.

Stop the Activity

The first step is to stop the exercise immediately if the person shows any unusual signs or symptoms. Continuing could worsen their condition.

Assess the Person

Check the person’s airway, breathing and circulation. Ask them how they feel and note any visible signs of distress. Collect as much detail as possible about what happened and how quickly symptoms started.

Provide Appropriate First Aid

Give first aid aligned with training and organisational policy. This may involve:

• Helping the person to sit or lie down in a safe position
• Providing oxygen if trained and authorised
• Supporting use of prescribed medication such as inhalers or nitroglycerin spray
• Applying ice packs for strains or sprains
• Loosening tight clothing to help breathing

Call for Medical Help

If the reaction is serious or symptoms do not improve quickly, call emergency services. In the UK, dial 999 for urgent ambulance assistance. Tell them the nature of the reaction, any known medical conditions and what actions have already been taken.

Monitor the Person

Keep monitoring vital signs until medical help arrives. Stay with the person, offering reassurance and ensuring they are safe from further injury.

Report the Incident

Follow workplace policy to report the reaction. This may include:

• Completing an incident form
• Recording details in the person’s care plan
• Notifying a supervisor or manager

Accurate reporting helps prevent future incidents and supports ongoing care.

Review and Adjust Exercise Plans

The care team should review the person’s exercise programme. This may mean reducing intensity, changing the activity type or involving healthcare professionals to assess safety before resuming.

Preventing Adverse Reactions

Staff can reduce the likelihood of adverse reactions by planning sessions carefully and checking the person’s health status before starting. Preventive actions include:

• Performing a pre-exercise health check
• Discussing any new or ongoing symptoms with a nurse or GP
• Starting with gentle activity and increasing slowly
• Providing clear instructions during exercise
• Allowing rest periods
• Observing the person for changes throughout the session

Understanding the person’s care plan, medication and medical history is important for prevention.

Communicating with Service Users

Good communication supports safety. Inform the person about possible effects of exercise and encourage them to speak up about any discomfort. Use simple language and check for understanding.

Building trust helps people feel confident to report symptoms early.

Legal and Organisational Responsibilities

In the UK, staff must meet health and safety requirements. This includes taking reasonable care to protect service users from harm and following employer procedures for emergencies.

Training in first aid and manual handling is often mandatory. Staff must only carry out actions they are trained for and call for help when needed.

Record Keeping

Accurate records are important in healthcare support. Each adverse reaction should be documented clearly. Include:

• What happened and when
• Description of symptoms
• Actions taken and by whom
• Response to treatment
• Any changes to care plans

Good records support continuity of care and provide evidence if questions arise later.

Supporting Recovery

After an adverse reaction, the person may feel anxious about exercising again. Staff can support recovery by:

• Allowing rest and monitoring for delayed symptoms
• Encouraging gradual return to activity if safe
• Offering reassurance and answering questions
• Liaising with healthcare professionals to confirm readiness

Working with the Wider Team

Healthcare support workers often work alongside nurses, physiotherapists and doctors. Following an adverse reaction, team communication is key. Share facts promptly and keep all colleagues informed.

This teamwork ensures consistent care and avoids repeat incidents.

Adapting Exercise for Risk Reduction

For service users with higher risk, adaptations may help. Examples include:

• Shorter sessions
• Seated exercises to reduce falls risk
• Avoiding high-intensity movements
• Using support aids like walking frames
• Ensuring the environment is safe and free from hazards

Adaptations must match the person’s individual needs and be reviewed regularly.

Final Thoughts

Adverse reactions to exercise can range from mild discomfort to severe emergencies. Rapid recognition and response reduce harm and protect wellbeing. In health and social care settings, every session should balance the benefits of activity with an awareness of possible risks.

By paying attention, communicating clearly, following training and acting quickly, you can make exercise safe and positive for the people you support. Your awareness and timely action can make the difference between a minor incident and a serious outcome that harms health.