ArthritisExercise Right for

Arthritis

Arthritis or osteoarthritis is a common chronic disorder of the joints and mainly affects older people. In healthy joints, cartilage covers the surface of the joint and helps to absorb shock and allows for smooth movement.

In arthritis; the cartilage breaks down, tearing the ends of the bone unprotected and the joint loses its ability to move smoothly. The most common joints affected by arthritis are hips, knees, big toes, spine and hands.

Why it’s important to exercise

Although pain and functional limitations present challenges to physical activity among individuals with arthritis, regular exer-cise is essential for managing these conditions.

Specifically, exercise reduces pain, maintains muscle strength around affected joints, reduces joint stiffness, prevents func-tional decline, and improves quality of life.

Exercise can be effective in relieving symptoms as pain medica-tion and anti-inflammatory drugs, but has fewer side effects.

Things to remember

• Any exercise should take into account age, current range of joint movement, other health conditions and personal preference. Focus on low-intensity and low-duration exercise when initially starting an exercise program.

• Avoid strenuous exercises during acute flares and peri-ods of inflammation. However, it is appropriate to gently move joints through their full range of motion

during these periods. Allow ample amount of time to warm up at a low intensity level to minimise pain.

• Progression in duration of activity should be empha-sised over increased intensity.

• There maybe a little bit of soreness in the arthritic joint during exercise – this is normal and does not mean that the arthritis is getting worse. However, if there is signif-icant pain or swelling during or after exercise then the exercise program may need to be revised.

• The benefits of exercise are lost if the exercise stops; use strategies that will help with program continuation like: keeping a log book, setting achievable goals, seeking support from a partner, family or friends, and varying the exercise program assist with patient’s maintaining a consistent exercise regime.

• Joint range may be restricted due to arthritic changes in the joint and swelling, it is important those with arthritis don’t push through those restrictions, over time the range of motion should gradually be increased by work-ing to the full extent of range tolerated.

Arthritis and rheumatic disease are leading causes of pain and disability.

Right professional

Accredited Exercise Physiologist

If you have arthritis and you’re thinking about incorporating exercise into your daily life, it’s recommended you consult an Accredited Exercise Physiologist for a tailored exercise plan that is safe for your individual needs.

Right place

In a heated pool

Hydrotherapy and pool based exercise is best for your arthritic joints as the water provides excellent therapeutic benefits. A heated pool for water exercises is recommend-

ed (28 – 31degrees C), as warm water helps to relax muscles and reduce pain.

Otherwise, if hydrotherapy isn’t your thing remember to choose a place with appropriate surfaces that provide shock absorption and stability.

Right time

Exercise in the middle of the day

Choosing a time of day where the pain is least severe ideal. Middle of the day is a preferable time for you as this is gen-erally the time of day that pain is typically least severe.

This is because while you sleep, your body temperature drops, leaving you stiff and lacking flexibility in the morning. Since flexibility helps your joints move in their full range of motion during a workout, you may not perform optimally first thing in the morning.

Middle of the day is also advised as this timing is in conjunc-tion with the peak activity of pain medications.

Types of exercises recommended

Research shows that exercise can help people with a wide range of arthritic severity and pain. It is important people with arthritis choose a type of exercise that they enjoy and that can be easily incorporated into their daily life.

Exercise Right recommends aiming to exercise 4 to 5 times a week for at least 30 minutes.

Strength training– The thigh, hip and calf muscles, which are important for daily function, are often weak in people with arthritis. Resistance can be applied with weights, elastic tubing or body weight. Start lightly completing 2-5 repetitions using pain threshold as an index of intensity, as they improve gradu-ally increase to 10-12 repetitions of an exercise.

Aerobic exercise – Activities may include walking, cycling, using a rowing machine or a seated stepper. High-impact exer-cises such as jogging should be avoided because it places high loading on the affected joints.

Aquatic (water) exercise – can be done 1:1 or in a class or group. Those with severe arthritis may find aquatic exercise useful, as the weightlessness minimises the load on your joints.

Other types of exercises – tai chi, balance exercises and stretching will improve flexibility and the range of motion of affected joints. It is important to always stretch within a pain-free range of motion.

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