Oefeningen bij slaapapneu — eerste lijn zonder CPAP

Sleep apnea is mechanical airway collapse during sleep — the upstream drivers are upper-airway anatomy, body weight (especially neck circumference), and upper-airway muscle tone. Exercise hits two of those three. The AASM 2019 clinical practice guidelines list weight management as first-line non-CPAP for the obese/overweight majority; 10% body-weight reduction reduces AHI (apnea-hypopnea index) approximately 30% in published trials (Tuomilehto 2009). Aerobic exercise has independent benefit beyond the weight-loss effect — Aiello 2016 meta-analysis shows AHI reduction with 12-week aerobic programs even in users who didn't lose weight. Strength training adds to that.

Volya's catalogue carries the foundation: slow-arm-swing-walk and standing-march for entry-level cardio, supine-bridge-march for glute + core strength, diaphragmatic-breathing and pursed-lip-breathing for respiratory muscle work, scapular-retraction for postural support. The AI coach also knows the nutrition side — Mediterranean pattern with omega-3 (algae for vegans), AVOID alcohol within 3 hours of bedtime (upper-airway muscle relaxant, worsens AHI 30-50%), AVOID sedatives without sleep-medicine clearance, eating window away from bed, and vitamin D test-first. This page is informational — exercise + nutrition are adjuncts to CPAP, oral appliances, or surgical evaluation, NEVER a replacement for standard sleep-medicine care.