People with Arthritis Need Exercise!

More than a third of people with arthritis don’t exercise at all, according to an article in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. That goes against their physician’s advice, which is based on well-founded studies.

Scientists at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have reviewed data from a 2002 national survey of over 6800 people with, and 20,000 without arthritis.

Only a third of both groups were exercising adequately, although arthritic patients had surely been advised of the benefits: decreased pain, delayed disability, and improved walking and other functions. And fewer arthritic patients than non-arthritic people were exercising at the level required to help them improve their functional state. Inactivity was greater with advancing age, lower education, being Hispanic, having depression and/or anxiety and poor access to a fitness center.

Clearly the message is not getting through – or the ’side effects’ of physical activity in these patients causes them to give up completely. It may be fear of pain, or the misconception that exercise will harm their joints; (this is not too surprising, as runners and football players are told that their knee osteoarthritis is all part of wear-and-tear.) The National Institute of Arthritis has a useful website which will answer just about any questions you may have, if you or a loved one have arthritis.