Can exercise really affect my
lifestyle?
Americans could significantly improve their health and quality of
life by practicing some form of physical activity on a regular
basis. According to the Surgeon General's Report on Physical
Activity and Health, regular, moderate physical activity is
beneficial in decreasing fatigue, strengthening muscles and bones,
increasing flexibility and stamina, and improving an overall sense
of well-being.
Is there a specific benefit of exercise for
an arthritis sufferer?
Exercise helps to:
-
- Keep joints moving
- Strengthen muscles around the joints
- Strengthen and maintain bone and cartilage tissue
- Improve overall ability to do everyday activities
- Improve health and fitness by:
-
- increasing energy level
- improving sleep
- assisting weight control
- improving overall cardiovascular condition
- decreasing depression
- improving self-esteem and emotional health
What happens if I don't exercise?
Lack of exercise contributes to:
- Smaller and weaker muscles
- Brittle bones
- Pain
- Disfigured joints that stay in one position for so long that
the ability to straighten them may be lost
- Loss of mobility in joints that may become locked in a position
if they are not routinely worked
What type of exercise programs should an
arthritis sufferer use?
A balanced exercise program is best. It should
include a combination of the three main types of exercise:
- Range-of-Motion Exercises: These are basic stretching exercises
to keep joints supple and mobile by moving them in their
"range-of-motion" the normal distance joints can move in certain
directions.
- Strengthening Exercises: These are beneficial because they help
maintain or increase muscle strength. Common ones include isometric
exercises (tightening muscles without moving joints) and isotonic
exercises (moving joints without strengthening muscles).
- Endurance Exercises: These are beneficial because they
strengthen the heart, while making the lungs more efficient and
improving stamina. They also help improve sleep, weight loss and
your mood. Examples are walking, cycling and swimming.
Before you begin an exercise program, you
should consult a physician or a physical therapist, especially if
you have not exercised in a while, have had any surgical
procedures, or are over age 40.
