EMIRATES LEADS THE WAY WITH ON-BOARD HEALTH

Emirates, the Dubai-based international airline, has become the world's first air carrier to respond to current, world-wide fears about deep vein thrombosis (DVT) by providing every passenger on its long-haul flights with an exercise device proven to boost blood circulation in the legs.

At its global launch today, in London, Emirates was revealed as the first customer for Airogym, a scientifically-tested device which has been developed specifically to tackle DVT.

Leading vascular surgeon John Scurr has conducted clinical trials of the Airogym which show that the device increases blood flow through deep veins by up to 50 per cent, thus reducing the risk of blood clots being formed.

Award-winning Emirates, which operates to 57 destinations in 40 countries, will give Airogym free of charge to all passengers travelling on its long-haul routes.

Emirates' Head of Medical Services, Dr. Alasdair Beatton, said: "The health and welfare of customers is our top priority. Airogym is a significant product because it is a simple and fun way of exercising whilst sitting.

"Airogym will encourage people to exercise on board - something we already urge passengers to do through our video and audio channels during flights and in our inflight magazine.

"Although there is much to learn about the causes of DVT, which appears to affect specific groups of people who sit still without exercise for long periods of time - even when sitting at home - Airogym has proven to improve blood flow. That is why Emirates is becoming the first airline to give its support to this product and is taking a lead role by making it available to our customers."

John Scurr, consultant vascular surgeon at the Middlesex and University Hospitals in London, said: "The scientific tests that we have conducted show the Airogym improves blood flow by between 25 to 50 per cent. This increased blood flow prohibits venous stasis and should reduce the risk of development of potentially dangerous blood clots.

Mr Scurr added: "It's an ingenious device. The user presses down on an inflatable footpad, which compresses the veins in the foot and squeezes blood into the main veins in the calf. The pressure involved in squeezing the foot causes muscular contraction of the calf muscles, which, acting like a muscle pump, promote the flow of blood through the main veins to the heart."

Amanda Richards, Director of Airogym, said: "The beauty of Airogym is that it's simple, discreet and allows you to exercise your leg muscles effectively and quietly, in the safety and comfort of your own seat.

"The use of Airogym can prove beneficial to office workers, the elderly, coach, car or train passengers - not just air travellers. In fact it can help any job, hobby or task that requires someone to be seated for long periods of time."

Dr. Ian Perry, a leading consultant in aviation medicine, said: "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 resistances of the inflated chambers to work against and exercise your muscles, stimulating an increase in blood flow."

The Airogym was designed and developed by Paul Richards, a former British Airways captain and long haul pilot for 33 years.

Editors Note : We will report more on this product when we test it out end April.