The AIROGYM™ can help reduce the risk of DVT on long haul flights by keepingthe blood flowing in the legs. Medical Studies show that it does indeed help:

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SHOWING IN-FLIGHT USAGE AND MEDICAL TESTIMONIALS

Mr John Scurr, consultant vascular surgeon Middlesex and University College Hospitals, London and his colleague, Philip Coleridge-Smith DM FRCS carried out a clinical evalution of the Airogym DVT Cushion in February 2001.

"The Airogym was designed specifically to promote the flow of blood through the deep veins. By pressing down on the footpad, veins in the foot are compressed, squeezing blood into the main veins in the calf. The pressure involved in squeezing the foot causes muscular contraction of the calf muscle, again promoting the flow of blood through the main veins. Scientific tests show an improvement in peak velocity blood flow of up to five times of resting blood flow. The device certainly prevents venous stasis, and as such, should reduce the risk of developing blood clots. The active exercises are responsible for pumping fluid from the legs and if used regularly throughout the flight will reduce or prevent ankle swelling."

Mr Mark Whitely MS FRCS Consultant Vascular Surgeon, Nuffield Hospital Guildford. Whitely and his colleagues conducted tests on the Airogym exerciser and other DVT devices on the market.

“The key to reducing the risks of economy class syndrome is to keep the blood flowing through the veins in the legs. Travel stockings do this passively i.e. when you are sitting still. However, more effective than this is using the foot and calf muscle pumps. The Airogym DVT exerciser is a very simple device that has been shown by vascular specialists to increase the speed of blood flow through the deep veins by an average of 300%. The Airogym emulates the process of walking-the resistance of the flow of air makes the foot pump and the movement of the down, makes the calf pump work. It is the combination of these pumps that makes it so effective and is why we recommend it at our clinic. We are very happy that the new exercise puts it at the top-nothing around at the movement can beat it when used this way.”

Dr Ian Perry MFOM,DavMed, FIOSH, FIMgt,FRAes,MBAE,MBAC
Represents IAOPA as a Consultant in Aviation Medicine on the Medical Subcommittee of the Joint Aviation Authority, is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, a Fellow of the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, a Fellow of the Institute of Management, a Fellow of the Aerospace Medical Association and a member of the International Academy of Aviation and Space Medicine. He holds the membership of the Faculty of Occupational Medicine and has the Diploma in Aviation Medicine from the UK Royal College of Physicians, London. Dr. Perry has just been appointed to the new US/AOPA Board of Aviation Medical Advisors.

“As an industry body, we openly embrace any developments which address the issues of on-flight exercise and DVT,”comments, Dr Perry, he continues, “Simplicity and ease are the key with the Airogym, There are four different exercises that you can do with it, all of which can be done from a comfortable seated position.

It is physically more beneficial to use the Airogym than simply wiggling your feet as you have the resistance of the inflated chambers to work against and exercise your muscles, stimulating an increase in blood flow. I used the Airogym on a recent long haul trip and plan to take it on my flight to the US soon. It proved to be an extremely untroubled form of exercise with my feet feeling wonderful for the entirety of the flight-almost as if I had had a reflexology treatment on them!"