Two in Five Adults With Rheumatoid Arthritis Are Inactive

According to a study funded by NIAMS (National Institute for Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases) and published online January 26, 2012 in Arthritis Care & Research, two in five adults with rheumatoid arthritis (42%) are inactive. It's a common misconception that medication and rest alone help to control rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. Not only do many patients believe that, doctors actually recommended rest to their rheumatoid arthritis patients up until the 1980s. More current research supports regular, moderate physical activity or exercise for people with arthritis to help maintain joint flexibility, range of motion, balance, muscle strength -- and to decease joint pain.

While evidence now backs an active rather than sedentary lifestyle for people with rheumatoid arthritis, many patients still don't buy it and many doctors don't take the time to encourage it. In the study, inactivity was defined as participating in no moderate-to-vigorous physical activity periods of 10 minutes or more within a 7-day period. Not only were 42% classified as inactive, 53% of study participants lacked strong motivation to participate in physical activity and 49% lacked strong belief in the benefits.

Researchers concluded that physical inactivity among rheumatoid arthritis patients is a public health concern. Motivation needs to be addressed and the benefits of exercise promoted. Interestingly, just one day before the study was published, I wrote an article for our About.com Osteoarthritis site entitled "How You Can Start to Exercise With Osteoarthritis". The points made in the article apply to patients with any type of arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis. Check it out.

Related Articles:

• 6 Reasons Arthritis Patients Should Exercise
• Physical Activity and Exercise
• Exercise Is Essential Treatment for Arthritis
• 6 Ways to Become Less Sedentary
• Arthritis and Exercise Quiz

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