Even a very modest amount of exercise might be better than
none at all when it comes to preventing disability from
arthritis, according to research published in the December
2006 issue of the journal Arthritis & Rheumatism. The study
followed more than 3,500 U.S. adults with arthritis.
Researchers found that those who were getting some regular
physical activity at the study's start were less likely than
their sedentary peers to develop worsening problems with
walking, climbing stairs and other daily activities. In
addition, exercisers were more likely than inactive adults
to show improvements in any mobility problems they had at
the outset. The findings were published in the journal
Arthritis & Rheumatism in December 2005.
The new findings suggest that even modest levels of exercise
can help prevent disability from arthritis, or even reverse
it in some cases. Study participants who got less than 30
minutes per day of moderate activity or less than 20 minutes
of vigorous exercise, were still less likely than inactive
arthritis sufferers to show functional decline over time.
In the study, participants were divided into three groups
based on their reported leisure-time activities at the start
of the study: an inactive group, an insufficiently active
group, and a group that got the recommended level of
exercise for adults - at least 30 minutes of moderate
activity like walking or gardening on most days of the week,
or 20 minutes of vigorous exercise like running or swimming.
Overall, adults in this latter group were 41 percent less
likely to show functional decline over the next 2 years than
their inactive peers were. The risk reduction was almost as
great for those who exercised at a less-than-ideal level.
The researchers wrote that: "Given the high prevalence of
arthritis, even modest increases in rates of lifestyle
physical activity among older adults could make a
substantial contribution to disability-free life
expectancy." They also noted that it is always a good idea
for sedentary people with arthritis to consult their doctor
before taking up any activity.
As with most all health related issues, an ounce of
prevention is worth a pound of cure. Have you had your ounce
of prevention today?
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