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HEALTH & SCIENCEAnother reason to exercise for those with arthritisRegular physical activity can slow functional decline among older people, according to a new study.By Susan J. Landers, AMNews staff. May 2, 2005. Washington -- Those interested in maintaining their independence in old age, particularly the millions who have arthritis, should take notice of the findings of a new study and go dancing, hike or climb some stairs. Lack of regular physical activity was the most prevalent risk factor for functional decline among the 5,715 older men and women with arthritis who were followed for two years by a team of researchers at Northwestern University in Chicago. Arthritis and chronic joint symptoms affect nearly 70 million Americans, about one in every three adults, making it one of the most prevalent diseases in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And as the population ages, the numbers will increase dramatically. Although many studies show that physical activity improves health outcomes, the new study, published in the April issue of Arthritis & Rheumatology, goes a step further in finding that it will protect against the progression of disability, said lead author Dorothy D. Dunlop, PhD, research associate professor at the Institute for Health Care Research at Northwestern's Feinberg School of Medicine. "It's a piece of the puzzle that hasn't been well-established." "The message to patients with arthritis is that they need to get up and get moving. Participating in regular physical activity will help individuals maintain the ability they need to live independently," she said. So if the prospect of weight loss and stronger muscles doesn't provide enough motivation to push people to make regular exercise a part of their lives, maintaining independence just might do the trick. "The finding that the lack of vigorous physical activity is a strong predictor [for future disability] is very good news from a public health perspective, because it is a modifiable risk factor, and major improvements can be made in people's health by using it as an intervention target," Dr. Dunlop said. [...]Full text of AMNews content is available to AMA members and paid subscribers.
Copyright 2005 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
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