How Do Arthritis Patients Perceive Exercise?
Thursday July 27, 2006
Exercise can reduce pain, improve physical function, improve muscle strength, and improve quality of life for people with arthritis. Even so, people with arthritis have a lower rate of participation in regular exercise than people without arthritis. With more to gain, what accounts for the low rate of participation among people with arthritis?
A study reported in the August 2006 issue of Arthritis Care & Research analyzes what motivates some people with arthritis to exercise, while others avoid it. What do arthritis patients believe about exercise? Are their beliefs affecting how much time they devote to exercise? What about their perceptions interfere with exercise?
- Over One-Third of People With Arthritis Get No Exercise
- Exercise: Essential Treatment for Arthritis
- How To Exercise When You Have Arthritis
- Arthritis and Exercise Quiz
Photo by Simone van den Berg (iStockphoto)
Comments
I started an exercise program over a year ago. Has it stopped the joint deterioatin? Well no it has’t. But it has given me improved strength especially at my core, improved stamina, and has added muscle support to my bad joints.
A point the study didn’t address is whether the participants could differentiate between joint pain or muscle pain. I think many people confuse the two and stop exercising because they think their joints are hurting when it is really just the normal ache of moving underused muscles