Increasing physical activity, even by small amounts, could delay the onset of arthritis symptoms in older women. Australian researchers studied more than 8,700 women over a three-year period. Responses to questions about stiff and painful joints and level of physical activity were collected from 4,780 mid-age women and 3,970 older women.

According to study results published in the journal Arthritis Research & Therapy, physical activity did not increase or decrease the odds of self-reported stiff or painful joints often among the mid-age women. However, study results revealed that low, moderate, and high levels of physical activity among the older women were associated with decreased odds of developing stiff or painful joints.

Researchers concluded that among older women who do not have or rarely have stiff or painful joints, participation in at least 75 minutes per week of moderate-intensity physical activity may protect against complaints of often having arthritis symptoms within the next three years. The results also suggested that women who were more physically fit and engaged in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week had even less reported pain in the three year period which followed. The message which you should take away from the study? Get moving.

Related Resources:

• Exercise: Essential Treatment for Arthritis
• How to Exercise When You Have Arthritis
• How Do Arthritis Patients Perceive Exercise?
• Exercise Helps Fatigue Associated With Arthritis
• Over One-Third of People With Arthritis Get No Exercise

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