Yes, you can play sports!
Exercise is very good for you and your family, and it is very beneficial. Most sporting activities are safe, but there are some sports such as boxing and rugby which are not recommended for children with haemophilia. Just because you have haemophilia does not mean you cannot play sports! If you keep yourself fit and play sports you are less likely to get a bleed. Everyone can enjoy sports no matter where you live or what age you are. Swimming is great fun and fantastic exercise for children with haemophilia. Cycling, golf, tennis, athletics and fishing are also recommended.
The more you look after yourself and keep fit the more this will help your muscles, and you will feel much healthier. Why don’t you get your whole family involved in a sport? Now I know some of you would just love to play rugby or American football or even wrestling, but just think about it, it would not be very nice to get a head injury would it? So you have to think about it very hard before you pick a sport.
Here is a quick overview of sports rating by activity – for a more detailed look at sports & exercise, please our Sport, Exercise & Haemophilia Magazine:
Category A – Low Risk
Cycling
Fishing
Hiking
Swimming
Tai Chi
Walking
Category B – Medium Risk
Athletics
Baseball
Basketball
Gymnastics
Horseback Riding
Jogging
Roller Skating
Rowing
Running
Skiing
Soccer
Tennis
Track & Field
Volleyball
Waterskiing
Weight Training
Category C – High Risk
GAA
Ice Hockey
Hurling
Motor Cycling
Rugby
Wrestling
Boxing
Martial Arts
In doubt about which activity you can or can\’t do, get in touch with your Haemophilia Treatment Centre for advice.