Movement and physical activity

exercise movement wellbeing Sep 15, 2025

Strong Bodies, Safer Care: Why Movement Matters for Perioperative Nurses

In healthcare, movement and physical activity are crucial, not only for patients but also for the perioperative nurses that care for them. From avoiding occupational injuries, improving health outcomes, to modelling best practice, perioperative nurses who are physically active are better equipped to meet the rigorous demands of perioperative care.

The physical demands of perioperative nursing include:
🔸 Prolonged standing
🔸 Bending
🔸 Lifting
🔸 Transferring patients
🔸 Positioning surgical equipment
🔸 Emergency responses

Without sufficient physical fitness and good movement habits, nurses are at risk of sustaining musculoskeletal injury 🦴, fatigue, and slower recovery between shifts. Ergonomic principles and safe patient handling guidelines are also essential in minimising injuries to both patients and staff.

The health benefits of being physically active are well known, including:
🔹 Better cardiovascular health ❤️
🔹 Strong musculoskeletal system 💪
🔹 Improved mental health – with lower stress and burnout 🧠
🔹 Better sleep 😴
🔹 Better weight management ⚖️

While nursing shifts may be physically tiring, they often don’t reach the intensity or consistency required for cardiovascular and strength benefits, meaning additional, dedicated physical activity outside work is important.

It is also important as health care workers that we lead by example. Perioperative nurses are part of patient education and mobilisation efforts in the peri and post operative phases. Early mobilisation of patients is key to reducing postoperative complications such as deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary issues 🫁, and muscle wasting. Nurses’ understanding of the importance of movement, both their own and that of patients, allows them to genuinely reinforce protocols and improve patient outcomes.

Finally, ensuring that perioperative nurses remain physically well supports workforce sustainability. Healthy nurses are more likely to have better attendance, greater longevity in the role, and better capacity for high performance, leading to safer care environments. Incorporating movement, ergonomics, strength training, and rest breaks into work schedules is not a luxury but a necessity.

Build Knowledge ✅
Improve Safety ✅  

References:

Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care, & Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists. (2021). A framework for perioperative care in Australia and New Zealand. https://anzsgm.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/A-framework-for-perioperative-care-in-Australia-and-New-Zealand_May2021-1.pdf

Norman, J. (2020). Exercise – it matters! Support for Nurses & Midwives. https://www.nmsupport.org.au/news/exercise-matters 

Wells, C. (2021). Perioperative nursing: Maintaining momentum and staying safe. Journal of Perioperative Nursing, 34(1), e29–e35. https://doi.org/10.26550/2209-1092.1120

 

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