QANTAS Airways (Sydney) has launched an exercise video on all its international flights to help prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

The four-minute exercise video was developed by academics at the University of Melbourne in a partnership with Physitrack Limited, the Brighton-based mobile healthcare provider, and Sports Medicine Australia’s official exercise technology partner. Sports Medicine Australia has endorsed the exercise video.

QANTAS started rolling out the exercise video on international flights this month.

The video was developed by Professor Kim Bennell at the University of Melbourne Department of Physiotherapy. “These inflight exercises are designed to provide a safe way to stretch and enjoy movement in certain muscle groups that can become stiff as a result of long periods of sitting. They may be effective at increasing the body’s blood circulation and massaging the muscles,” Professor Bennell said.

“It came as a bit of a surprise international airlines hadn’t already introduced these exercise videos given what we know about DVT and long-haul travel. Hopefully, access to these videos will become standard on all international flights,” she said.

Sports Medicine Australia CEO Nello Marino said sitting still for long periods of time in cramped conditions, such as on an airplane, can lead to swollen ankles and occasionally DVT. “Whilst the risk of DVT is extremely low, it is always important to take preventive measures as the threat is always there,” he said. “Through simple, regular stretching, mobility exercises, and walking around the cabin mid-flight your risk of DVT is dramatically reduced.”

QANTAS Airways Video Above: These inflight exercises are designed to provide a safe way to stretch and enjoy movement in certain muscle groups that can become stiff as a result of long periods of sitting. They may be effective at increasing the body’s blood circulation and massaging the muscles.

We recommend that you do these exercises for around three or four minutes every hour and occasionally get out of your seat and walk down the aisles.

Each exercise should be done with minimal disturbance to other passengers. None of the following exercises should be performed if they cause pain or cannot be done with ease.