People with osteoarthritis are frequently asked to exercise, lose weight, and increase muscle strength.  We know these things to be helpful in slowing OA and improving quality of life.  But you might be worried that exercise will worsen your condition.  Recently, the Centers for Disease Control commissioned a review of an extensive body of research on exercise in people with OA. 

The results of their findings should be reassuring to those with osteoarthritis who want to begin a program of increased physical activity.  In the introduction to this review it states, “Strong evidence indicates that both endurance and resistance types of exercise provides considerable disease-specific benefits for persons with OA and other rheumatic conditions without exacerbating [worsening] symptoms or worsening disease progression. Adults with OA can expect significant improvements in pain, physical function, quality of life and mental health and delayed onset of disability by engaging in appropriate low-impact physical activity for approximately 150 minutes per week (3 to 5 times per week for 30 to 60 minutes per session).

“No evidence indicates that OA is a contraindication for participation in physical activity among sedentary populations. However, patients should be counseled to pursue activities that are low impact, not painful, and do not have a high risk of joint injury.”

Studies usually follow adverse events, looking for harmful effects of their interventions.  In the CDC review, at least 14 studies reported that arthritis symptoms (pain and/or stiffness) were improved, or at least not worsened, with exercise. At least 4 studies reported improvement or no increase in disease activity. The CDC investigators stated that, “These reviewed studies, as well as others, noted that the frequency of study-related adverse events were low among arthritis patients and older adults in general. This suggests that the promotion of moderate physical activity, such as walking, cycling, and water exercise, is likely safe in patients with arthritis. However, risk communication messages geared for this population should include concepts such as "start low and go slow."

Their final comments deserve our attention.  They write, “Current scientific evidence indicates that physical activity has important health benefits for adults with arthritis, including reduced pain, improved function, and a reduced risk of disability. Such benefits have been observed in adults with arthritis who participate in moderate-intensity, low-impact activities (e.g., walking, cycling, water exercise), 3 to 5 times per week for 30 to 60 minutes per session (i.e., accumulate approximately 150 minutes per week). Both endurance and resistance exercise, performed in group or home settings, has been found to be effective.”