Risk Of Oa From Sports Participation
Recent years have witnessed an enormous increase in the popularity of recreational exercise. There is a plethora of evidence supporting participation in regular exercise, including recreational activities or competitive sports, as it improves general health and may increase longevity. Individuals with normal joints frequently ask whether their exercise programs increase the risk of developing OA.
The initial studies that evaluated the relationship between regular recreational weight-bearing exercise and OA of the knee generally found no ill effects on the joints from exercise participation . More recent studies that assessed the longitudinal effects of aging and exercise on OA of the hip and knee after 5 and 8 years of follow-up also found no increased risk of developing OA in runners, compared with age-similar controls . What is clear from the data is that the risk of subsequent OA relates more to the intensity of the level of participation, the performance level and the concomitant presence and or likelihood of joint injury. In this light we have considered recreational vs. elite separately, paying particular attention to the presence or consideration of joint injury.
Thus elite athletes who perform their activities with high impact and high stress to the joints appear to have an increased risk for OA in the hips and knees compared with age-matched controls . Again the concomitant presence or likelihood of joint injury increases the risk of developing OA.
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How Will I Know If Ive Done Too Much
It can be hard to predict how your body will cope with a new activity. The most important thing to do is to listen to your body. A general guide is the two hour pain rule if you have extra or unusual pain for more than two hours after exercising, youve done too much. Next time you exercise, slow down or do less. Talk to your physiotherapist or exercise physiologist if you continue to experience pain after exercising.
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How Much Should I Do
All Australian adults should be aiming to do at least 30 minutes of activity on most days of the week. You can do 30 minutes continuously or combine several shorter sessions. If you have arthritis and you have not exercised for a while, you may need to start with shorter sessions then build slowly. Talk to a physiotherapist or exercise physiologist about getting started to help you avoid an injury or over-doing it. Dont forget that activities such as gardening, playing with pets or taking the stairs rather than the lift can also count as exercise.
Exercising Dogs With Arthritis
Veterinary experts used to believe that dogs with arthritis should limit physical activity. They often prescribed exercise restriction.
However, recent research shows that, over time, this approach can lead to issues like stiff joints, muscle loss, and weight gain.
Studies reveal that dog exercise like walking and aerobics may help with weight loss and alleviate pain.
Here are some tips to help exercise dogs with arthritis effectively.
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Stretch Throughout The Day
Dr. Iversen encourages people to stretch and move throughout the day because that can help with joint stiffness, especially if your lifestyle involves sitting at a computer for hours every day. Studies have shown that its very important to change position often, meaning every hour or so if you can, whether its to get up and get a glass of water or change your position at your desk, Dr. Iversen says.
Even if youre active throughout the day, its really important to stretch and warm up if youre going to do strength training, Dr. Iversen says. She explains that when you have joint pain, you tend to flex your joints by default. The problem is, this creates tightness in your extensor muscles , which can impact your form and increase your risk of injury. The specific stretches she recommends vary from person to person. I tend to have people focus on whats bothering them the most, Dr. Iversen says.
For instance, you might start by doing 10 minutes of gentle cardio for your warm-up followed by a few yoga poses for tight hips if they feel stiff. After that, you can start your strength-training session.
What Are Endurance Exercises
The foundation of endurance training is aerobic exercise, which includes any activity that increases the heart rate for a prolonged period of time. Aerobic activity conditions the heart and lungs to:
- Use oxygen to more efficiently supply the entire body with larger amounts of oxygen-rich blood
- Build stronger muscles for endurance activity
When paired with a healthy diet, aerobic activity also is fundamental for controlling weight and for improving overall general health.
At first, people with arthritis should perform about 15 to 20 minutes of aerobic activity at least three times a week, and then gradually build up to 30 minutes daily. The activity also should include at least five to 10 minutes of warm-up plus five to 10 minutes of cool-down.
Although peak benefits are achieved when an aerobic activity is performed continuously for at least 30 minutes, aerobic exercise can be spread out in smaller segments of time throughout the day to suit your comfort level, without overexerting yourself. Aerobic exercise should be performed at a comfortable, steady pace that allows you to talk normally and easily during the activity. Ask your therapist what intensity of exercise is appropriate for your fitness level.
Biking is another good choice for people with arthritis, because it places less stress on knee, foot, and ankle joints. Swimming is also often recommended because there is minimal pressure on joints while in water.
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Starting A Water Exercise Program
Venues that may run warm water exercise classes include:
- recreation centres
- retirement villages.
Things you can do before you choose a class include:
- Talk with your doctor, physiotherapist or exercise physiologist about the class and whether its right for you.
- Contact the various fitness and recreation centres in your local area to find out what sort of warm water classes are on offer. Ask them about the qualifications of the person running the classes.
- Check out the venue to see if its suitable for you. For example, is the pool easy to access? Are the change rooms accessible and comfortable? Is the venue close enough for you to go to regularly?
- Before choosing a class, make sure its appropriate to your level of fitness and ability.
- If you like, watch a class or two from the sidelines before joining.
Another option is to use the pool facilities and a water exercise program that has been designed for you by a physiotherapist or exercise physiologist and exercise on your own. You could do this instead of, or as well as, joining a class.
There are many different options available so that you can exercise in water and get the associated health benefits.
Lets Allow That Sense Of Play To Fuel Our Well
Its twilight on a mild summer night, and my husband and I go out for our evening walk. We take our usual route a lap around a local green space and a turn down to the street before entering a small park that neighbors our building. Its a quiet night with very few people around. The stars are just beginning to twinkle. We pass a small playground, and the sight of an empty swing stirs something inside me. I walk toward it with the excitement of a child who has been cooped up in the house for days. I wrap my hands around the chains, the cold steel soothing the steady heat that radiates through my limbs. I push off the ground and swing toward the sky as it melts into an indigo painting with a sliver of moon.
I am a child again, reliving that uninhibited lightness only children understand and its in this moment that I realize what I need to do when exercising with rheumatoid arthritis : I need to go back to playing.
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Keep An Eye On Arthritic Dogs
Pet owners can use wireless security cameras to monitor the dogs condition and review footage regularly. This way, theyll know how a dog is acting when theyre not around.
When pet dogs are sick, its normal for their owners to be sad. Canines can sense this, as they seem to be able to read emotional expressions.
Dog owners should find ways to help boost their pets mood. Daily exercise of 30 minutes to 60 minutes and a bit of love will surely help a dog deal with the discomfort brought by arthritis.
Types Of Exercise Are Best For People With Arthritis
- Range-of-motion exercise help maintain normal joint movement and relieve stiffness. This type of exercise helps maintain or increase flexibility.
- Strengthening exercise help keep or increase muscle strength. Strong muscles help support and protect joints affected by arthritis.
- Aerobic or endurance exercise improve cardiovascular fitness, help control weight, and improve overall function.
Weight control can be important for people who have arthritis because extra weight puts extra pressure on many joints. Some studies show that aerobic exercise can reduce inflammation in some joints.
Most health clubs and community centers offer exercise programs for people with physical limitations.
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Adjust Exercises According To Symptoms
People the intensity of an exercise on days when symptoms are more severe. For example, they could place a resistance band around the forearms instead of holding it in the hands.
Alternatively, they can try a different type of exercise or exercise for a shorter time.
On days when cycling or swimming seems too much, switching this type of activity to a leisurely stroll or some stretching will still be beneficial.
How Often Should People With Arthritis Exercise
- Range-of-motion exercises can be done daily and should be done at least every other day.
- Strengthening exercises should be done every other day unless you have severe pain or swelling in your joints.
- Endurance exercises should be done for 20 to 30 minutes three times a week unless you have severe pain or swelling in your joints. According to the American College of Rheumatology, 20- to 30-minute exercise routines can be performed in increments of 10 minutes over the course of a day.
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What Are Some Pain Relief Methods For People With Arthritis
There are known methods to help stop the pain for short periods of time. This temporary relief can make it easier for people who have arthritis to exercise. Your healthcare provider or physical therapist can suggest a method that is best for each patient. These methods have worked for many people.
Work With A Physical Therapist If You Can
If you have this condition, we dont have to tell you how tricky it can be to exercise for psoriatic arthritis. Dr. Bilsborrow says working with someone who understands what youre dealing with can be really beneficial. A certified personal trainer may have the skills to safely coach someone without psoriatic arthritis, but they typically arent trained in the pathology of different conditions and may not know whats best for you, according to Maura Iversen3, DPT, MPH, who is dean of the College of Health Professions and professor of physical therapy, movement science, and public health at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut. Physical therapy can be expensive and may not be an option for everyone. If you have insurance, you can check with your provider to see if your plan covers it.
If working with a physical therapist is an option for you, consider asking your doctor for recommendations of clinicians familiar with psoriatic arthritis, since even some physical therapists may not have the advanced training or experience to fully understand how it can affect your ability to work out. Otherwise, your physician may be able to recommend specific workouts, online resources, or even support groups in your area that can help.
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Getting Started With An Ra Exercise Plan
Patients with RA can and should exercise regularly, period, says Elaine Husni, MD, MPH, vice chair of rheumatology and director of the Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Center at Cleveland Clinic in Ohio and an assistant professor at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University. However, there may be modifications needed to try different modalities, depending on your level of fitness and ability. Think about water-based exercises to start, then move up to more traditional land-based exercises, or start with chair yoga instead of classic yoga classes.
For starters, always warm up before exercising and cool down afterward, Dr. Husni says. Also, be sure to use pain as your guide. Exercise should not be painful, so the onset of pain tells you to slow down or modify your exercise, she explains.
The goal is to keep moving at your fitness level to prevent injuries, Husni says. If you are new to exercise, you may benefit from group classes or a trainer, so someone with experience can watch and teach you how to exercise safely.
Its important to incorporate exercise into your routine as soon as youre diagnosed with RA. The best strategy is to consult a physical therapist specifically trained in inflammatory conditions youll benefit by working with an expert whos familiar with your RA needs.
Use It Or Lose It For Real
There are three main goals for exercise with arthritis: mobility, stability and flexibility. Stability can be regained with strengthening and stretching, but theres a use it or lose it factor for flexibility and mobility. The more you let yourself go without exercise, the harder it is to regain them.
If youre worried about injuring yourself, consider starting with something mild like Tai Chi. This slow-moving exercise is great for increasing balance, mobility and flexibility.
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Role Of Exercise In Arthritis Management
by Susan Bartlett, Ph.D.
The physiological benefits of exercise are well documented and include reduced risks of:
- coronary artery disease
- obesity
- colon cancer
Physical activity is essential to optimizing both physical and mental health and can play a vital role in the management of arthritis. Regular physical activity can keep the muscles around affected joints strong, decrease bone loss and may help control joint swelling and pain. Regular activity replenishes lubrication to the cartilage of the joint and reduces stiffness and pain. Exercise also helps to enhance energy and stamina by decreasing fatigue and improving sleep. Exercise can enhance weight loss and promote long-term weight management in those with arthritis who are overweight.
Exercise may offer additional benefits to improving or modifying arthritis. As Dr. Steven Blair, Exercise Epidemiologist and Director of Epidemiology at the Cooper Institute for Aerobics Research in Dallas TX notes Skeletal muscle is the largest organ in the body and is intricately tied with protein turnover and synthesis and many other metabolic and biochemical functions. Activating skeletal muscle has many important health benefits we are only beginning to understand.
Do The Ankle Alphabet
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Finding The Right Exercise For Yourself
Beyond finding the time and committing to exercise, its also important to find activities you enjoy, so youll be motivated to do them regularly. While your mobility may be more limited than before you had RA, you can still find fun ways to stay active. Consider walking in nature, trying a swim class, or taking a sturdy bike for a spin on a nice day.
If youre looking to start exercising, be sure to talk to your doctor first. With the right guidance, exercise can be an invaluable part of an effective RA treatment plan.
Additional reporting by Erica Patino
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Strengthening Exercises For Osteoarthritis
Muscle strengthening can come from lifting hand weights, using flexible tubing, even lifting a 1-liter water bottle.
To start a hand-weight program, use weights that you can lift 12 to 15 times with good form . Make sure you feel comfortable using the weights. Get started with these simple strengthening exercises. Do two or three sets of eight to 12 repetitions each.
- Biceps curls: Start with elbows bent at the sides. Keeping your upper arm at your side, bring one dumbbell up to your shoulder. Lower to original position and repeat with opposite arm. Continue to alternate between sides.
- Triceps extensions: Use both hands to hold weight overhead. Keeping your elbows pointed upward, lower the weight behind your head. Raise weight overhead again. Return and repeat.
- Side lateral raises: With arms down at your sides, raise arms to shoulder height. Lower and repeat.
- Wall push-up: This exercise is great for people who are not able to do a regular push-up. Stand with feet about 12 inches from a wall. Place hands a little wider than shoulders. Lower your chest to the wall, then push back to the starting position.
Use cold packs after exercising if you need. Many people with arthritis wrap up their exercise routine this way.