Staying Active with FXTAS: Finding the Right Exercise Routine

by Jane Oliver - Senior Families & Professional Advisor

Do you have a diagnosis of FXTAS and are struggling to find an appropriate exercise routine?

There’s growing evidence showing just how important safe, regular exercise is if you have Fragile X-associated Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome (FXTAS). FXTAS is sometimes described as a “use it or lose it” condition, which can sound harsh, but it simply highlights how vital movement is in maintaining strength and function. Exercising regularly, within your own limits, can make a real difference.

Neurologists in the US and our own Dr Sundus Alusi at the Walton Centre, Liverpool, are clear that regular physical activity helps to maintain neuronal plasticity, in other words, it supports brain health.

In her webinars for the National Fragile X Foundation, Dr Deborah Hall recommends aiming for around 30 minutes of exercise, five days a week, to help maintain mobility and even cognitive skills such as memory. She suggests activities like walking, stretching, or light weight training (in moderation and ideally under supervision).

Recently, the Fragile X Association of Australia hosted a webinar with Dr Alex Fois, a neurologist specialising in movement disorders who also works with people diagnosed with FXTAS. Towards the end of his talk, he highlights the Parkinson’s UK Exercise Toolkit, a brilliant free resource for exercising safely at home.

The toolkit includes a range of routines suited to different ability levels, from gentle chair-based exercises through to more active sessions. Safety always comes first, so please do check with your GP before starting anything new and avoid pushing beyond what feels comfortable.

👉 You can explore the toolkit here: Parkinson’s UK – Staying Active at Home: Your Toolkit

If you’d like to watch Dr Fois’s full webinar, it’s available on the Fragile X Association of Australia website. You may wish to skip ahead about 15 minutes if you’d prefer to move past the genetic introduction or watch it all, depending on your interests.