Exercise for Chronic Conditions - Minisodes

Dr. Simon Holzapfel
  • 5.0 (1)
  • FITNESS

Let me know in the comments if there are topics or concepts you'd like me to cover. This is a podcast for exercise science students, exercise physiologists, clinical exercise physiologists, and all exercise nerds out there. The podcast provides quick explainers (aka. minisodes) that dive deep into important concepts of the pathophysiology, exercise testing, and exercise prescription sciences of various chronic conditions, including cardiovascular diseases, pulmonary conditions, and cancers.

Episodes

  1. 10/31/2025

    Cancer Treatment Side Effects & Exercise Countermeasures

    If you know someone who has undergone cancer treatments or you have gone through cancer treatment yourself, you may know how debilitating the treatments can be – especially chemotherapy. One of the most ubiquitous side effects of chemotherapy and other treatments is fatigue. The last things that someone who is really really tired wants to hear is that they should exercise. Paradoxially, can reduce fatigue by 30 40% in cancer patients. In this minisode, we’ll uncover how movement acts as medicine—exploring the science behind cardiotoxicity, neuropathy, fatigue, and bone loss, and how targeted exercise can counteract each of these effects. Disclaimer This podcast is intended for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or provide medical advice. The information presented is based on current guidelines, the scientific literature, and academic publications, but it may not apply to every individual or situation. If you have a medical condition or are unsure whether exercise is safe for you, please consult with your physician or a qualified healthcare provider before beginning any exercise program. The host and guests of this podcast disclaim any liability for injury or harm resulting from the use or misuse of the information presented.

    13 min

  2. 09/02/2025

    Peripheral Artery Disease - Should you walk until it hurts?

    Today’s minisode is all about intermittent claudication. We’ll define what claudication is, how it presents in peripheral artery disease (PAD), and what we mean by the ischemic threshold in the leg. Then we’ll tackle the practice of walking to moderate claudication pain—typically a 3 out of 4 on the claudication scale—why many programs still prescribe it, and when alternatives like interval walking or cycling make sense. Finally, we’ll connect this to ACSM guidelines for PAD: how to set intensity, when to stop or rest, how to progress safely, and how to personalize the plan for real patients in supervised or home‑based rehab. Disclaimer This podcast is intended for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or provide medical advice. The information presented is based on current guidelines, the scientific literature, and academic publications, but it may not apply to every individual or situation. If you have a medical condition or are unsure whether exercise is safe for you, please consult with your physician or a qualified healthcare provider before beginning any exercise program. The host and guests of this podcast disclaim any liability for injury or harm resulting from the use or misuse of the information presented.

    17 min

  3. 08/12/2025

    Stable vs Unstable Angina – Considerations for Exercise Testing and Prescription

    This minisode is all about angina. We address address the difference between stable and unstable angina and why it’s critical to understand the distinction when you're evaluating a patient, performing an exercise test, or writing a prescription. We’ll look at what angina is, how it presents, what the ischemic threshold is, and how the American College of Sports Medicine guidelines help you determine when it’s safe, or not safe, to proceed with testing or exercise programming. Disclaimer This podcast is intended for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or provide medical advice. The information presented is based on current guidelines, the scientific literature, and academic publications, but it may not apply to every individual or situation. If you have a medical condition or are unsure whether exercise is safe for you, please consult with your physician or a qualified healthcare provider before beginning any exercise program. The host and guests of this podcast disclaim any liability for injury or harm resulting from the use or misuse of the information presented.

    12 min

  4. 08/06/2025

    Cardiac rehab - Where the science of exercise meets the heart of patient care

    Let me know in the comments if there is a topic or concept you'd like me to cover. In this minisode, we walk through an overview of what cardiac rehab really looks like, from inpatient bedside mobility to outpatient treadmill training. We cover which conditions qualify for rehab, the full scope of services typically offered, how we prescribe exercise safely, and we’ll also dive into the science behind high-intensity interval training, or HIIT, for cardiac patients. We wrap up with the critical role exercise physiologists play in this clinical setting. Disclaimer This podcast is intended for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or provide medical advice. The information presented is based on current guidelines, the scientific literature, and academic publications, but it may not apply to every individual or situation. If you have a medical condition or are unsure whether exercise is safe for you, please consult with your physician or a qualified healthcare provider before beginning any exercise program. The host and guests of this podcast disclaim any liability for injury or harm resulting from the use or misuse of the information presented.

    14 min

  5. 07/24/2025

    COPD & supplemental oxygen - empowerment or crutch?

    Should supplemental oxygen always be used during exercise for people with COPD whose oxygen saturation falls below 89%? Or is there a case for trying to train without it? In this minisode, we will explore the science as well as clinical and ethical implications surrounding this question. Let me know in the comments if there are topics or concepts you'd like me to cover. Disclaimer This podcast is intended for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or provide medical advice. The information presented is based on current guidelines, the scientific literature, and academic publications, but it may not apply to every individual or situation. If you have a medical condition or are unsure whether exercise is safe for you, please consult with your physician or a qualified healthcare provider before beginning any exercise program. The host and guests of this podcast disclaim any liability for injury or harm resulting from the use or misuse of the information presented.

    11 min
  6. Ischemic heart disease, perfusion mismatch, and the risk of lethal arrythmias

    07/23/2025

    Ischemic heart disease, perfusion mismatch, and the risk of lethal arrythmias

    In this minisode, we’re taking a closer look at something that’s essential for understanding exercise testing and prescription in patients with ischemic heart disease: perfusion mismatch and why it increases the risk of arrhythmias. Disclaimer This podcast is intended for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or provide medical advice. The information presented is based on current guidelines, the scientific literature, and academic publications, but it may not apply to every individual or situation. If you have a medical condition or are unsure whether exercise is safe for you, please consult with your physician or a qualified healthcare provider before beginning any exercise program. The host and guests of this podcast disclaim any liability for injury or harm resulting from the use or misuse of the information presented.

    8 min
  • 6 Episodes

About

Let me know in the comments if there are topics or concepts you'd like me to cover. This is a podcast for exercise science students, exercise physiologists, clinical exercise physiologists, and all exercise nerds out there. The podcast provides quick explainers (aka. minisodes) that dive deep into important concepts of the pathophysiology, exercise testing, and exercise prescription sciences of various chronic conditions, including cardiovascular diseases, pulmonary conditions, and cancers.

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