Consistent exercise is one of the only activities that brings on relief from POIS symptoms for me. Without regular and intense cardiovascular exercise I cannot function, as a result I run or use an elliptical six days a week for at least 25-35min and attempt weight training 4 days per week (sometimes my joints pain and other symptoms do not allow). Both types of exercise help, yet cardio is far superior in its health benefits. General activity like walking or standing a lot help as well. Activities like stretching and yoga also have their benefits. I also find simple and complex kinesthetic and tactile activities (e.g. cleaning and speed-chess plus music) help in measured doses.
My experience matches with yours, Andy. I started regularly exercising in January 2012 and it has been the only thing with a clear and almost consistent positive effect on my POIS sysmtops, and it seems to me that the intensity and duration of my POIS are somehow related to the quality of my workouts. I also do strength training, but I would tend to agree that cardio workouts perhaps directly help more with POIS. I imagine strength training helps a lot but less directly/immediately. But have you noticed any change to the duration of your POIS symptoms as a result of your training? I'm still not sure of that part myself but I'd like to think they've become shorter.
Ali, I absolutely agree that duration, intensity and overall quality of workouts are related to feeling relief from my POIS symptoms. For myself, other important factors include, heat or ambient temp and vascular dilation while exercising. As you stated, the differences between cardiovascular and strength training exercise are akin to benefits felt immediately vs. cumulative and then long term. Meaning they both have definitive benefits, yet strength training is much more dependent on a cumulative effect (very similar experience as you).
As for the duration of my POIS symptoms, I experience constant symptoms to varying degrees, although I absolutely noticed changes in the intensity of symptom duration as a result of consistent cardiovascular exercise. Yet, if I was to stop exercising tomorrow the benefits of that exercise would quickly disappear and I would regress. I have been exercising intensely on and off since I have had POIS (about 14years) and in my experience w/ any type of exercise I have found that when I am in peak condition symptoms are better, more manageable and sex drive easier to control. Although, a high level of fitness is inherently hard to maintain w/ the multitude of difficulties that POIS and regular life bring to the equation. I have found that being forgiving and sensitive toward my bodily needs pays off when exercising intensely. It is not an easy balancing act, but does invigorate and encourage me to be hopeful.