Non Weight Bearing Activity - What You Need to Know (2024)

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 6, 2024.

What is non weight bearing activity?

Non weight bearing (NWB) activity is exercise or motion you can do without supporting your own weight. For example, your weight is supported by water when you swim. NWB activities will not cause impact or strain. You can increase your strength, flexibility, cardiovascular health, and balance with NWB activities. You can also prevent muscles from becoming tight or short after an injury. You may only need to do NWB activities until an injury heals, or you may need to continue if you have a long-term condition. Your healthcare provider will tell you how long to continue doing NWB activities.

Why may I need NWB activities?

Rest for one or both of your legs or knees after an injury or surgery
Weak or brittle bones that would break if you put too much weight on them
Joint pain from being overweight or from arthritis makes weight bearing exercise painful
Elderly age
Limited mobility in your legs
Lack of cartilage in one or both knees
Diabetes complications such as neuropathy increase your risk for falls and make walking difficult
Long-term low back pain

What are some examples of NWB activities?

Swimming, water aerobics, or rowing
Riding a bicycle or using a stationary bicycle
Lifting weights or using resistance bands while seated
Using a hand bike to work only your upper body
Range of motion exercises for joint flexibility
Isometric exercises that tighten and relax muscles several times in a row
Certain yoga poses that do not need you to support your weight

Why do I need to go to physical therapy?

A physical therapist can teach you NWB activities that will build muscle strength and improve your balance. The therapist will show you how to prevent injury and decrease your risk for falls during NWB activity. For example, the therapist can show you how to use assistive devices such as crutches to help support your weight. The therapist will also help you plan NWB activities that will raise your heart rate for cardiovascular exercise. Adults should try to get at least 150 minutes of cardiovascular exercise each week.

What do I need to know about safety?

Stop if you feel pain. Do not move joints beyond their normal range of motion. Rest your joints during a flare if you have a disease such as arthritis. Do not lift heavy weights unless you can handle the weight easily. You may need to work up to using heavy weights. Talk to your healthcare provider if you feel pain during your activities.
Move slowly and smoothly. Do not make fast or jerky motions.
Use assistive devices as directed. Support your weight on crutches, a walker, or other devices as directed by your healthcare provider.
Do a variety of activities. The same activity every day may injure a muscle or joint. You may overtrain some muscles and not train others enough.
Talk to your healthcare provider about safe activities during pregnancy. You may not be able to lift weights while you are pregnant. Your healthcare provider can help you plan safe NWB activities during pregnancy.

When should I contact my healthcare provider?

You have new or worsening pain during activity.
You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.

Care Agreement

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your healthcare providers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment. The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Learn more about Non Weight Bearing Activity

Care guides

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Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circ*mstances.

Medical Disclaimer

Non Weight Bearing Activity - What You Need to Know (2024)

FAQs

What are non-weight bearing activities? ›

Non weight bearing exercises are activities you can do without having to support your own body weight, such as swimming or riding a bicycle. Exercises for osteoporosis prevention include both these activities.

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Can I rest my foot on the ground when non-weight bearing? ›

Non-Weight Bearing (NWB): Do not place any weight through the surgical/injured leg. This includes resting your feet or toes on the ground. While walking and sitting, make sure to keep your foot elevated off of the ground at all times.

What is not an example of a weight bearing activity? ›

Swimming and cycling are great because they help your general health and fitness. But they aren't weight-bearing so not as good for bones. They may strengthen muscles, but the water or bike holds the weight of your body. This means there isn't much force going through to your bones.

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What is considered weight bearing activity? ›

Weight-bearing aerobic activities

Examples include walking, dancing, low-impact aerobics, elliptical training machines, stair climbing and gardening. These types of exercise work directly on bones in the legs, hips and lower spine to slow bone loss.

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Does non-weight bearing mean no walking? ›

As mentioned at the start of this leaflet, non-weight bearing means that you are not allowed to put any weight on the affected limb. In reality this translates to hopping on your good/unaffected leg. This is hard work for most people and will require you to use a walking aid, but should get easier with practice.

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How do you shower when you are non-weight bearing? ›

It is possible to shower in a walk in shower by sitting on a plastic stool or chair. Alternatively you can bathe/shower by sitting on a bath board. Wet wipes are useful for cleaning between your toes.

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What happens if you accidentally put weight on a non-weight bearing leg? ›

Signs that you need to see your healthcare provider if you accidentally break your weight-bearing status may include: Increased pain in your injured or operated leg. An increase in redness or swelling in your leg. Difficulty moving around that causes more pain.

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Can I drive if I am non-weight bearing? ›

Can I drive while non-weight-bearing? This depends on whether you have an automatic car and whether it is your right or left leg that is injured. Before you can be cleared to drive, you may need to be able to perform an emergency stop.

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What are the 5 weight-bearing exercises? ›

Weight-bearing Exercises

Dancing.
Doing high-impact aerobics.
Hiking.
Jogging/running.
Jumping Rope.
Stair climbing.
Tennis.

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What are the non weight-bearing rules? ›

The term non-weightbearing, sometimes prescribed simply as "N.W.B.," refers to restrictions placed on you immediately after surgery. You will be advised to avoid putting the surgically repaired foot on the floor. This typically means no weight whatsoever, not even for a second or two whether standing or seated.

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Is a plank considered weight-bearing? ›

Weight-bearing exercises involve moving your own body weight against gravity. These are typically done standing up (strengthening the legs) or with your hands on the ground (strengthening the arms). Some common weight-bearing exercises include walking, lunges, squats, stair climbing, push-ups, and planks.

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How to shower when non-weight bearing? ›

It is possible to shower in a walk in shower by sitting on a plastic stool or chair. Alternatively you can bathe/shower by sitting on a bath board. Wet wipes are useful for cleaning between your toes.