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Osteoarthritis: Exercising With Arthritis
Exercises that will help you if you have osteoarthritis include:
- Aerobic activity that gets your heart beating faster and makes you breathe harder, such as walking, biking, swimming, and water aerobics. You can also get some aerobic activity by being more active in your daily routine. Vacuuming, housework, gardening, and yard work can all be aerobic.
- Strength exercises, such as lifting light weights or dumbbells or using elastic tubing, at home or in a gym.
- Range-of-motion exercises that help keep you flexible, such as stretching or exercises that target a certain joint.
Exercises to avoid
Don't do exercises that put a lot of stress on the joint that hurts. For example, if you have arthritis in your hands, try not to do exercises or sports that need a tight grip, such as biking. If you have arthritis in your knees, try not to do exercises that put stress on your knees, such as playing tennis.
Be careful not to exercise too much. Joint pain that lasts longer than a couple of hours after exercise may be a sign that you did too much.
Test Your Knowledge
A person with arthritis should try an exercise program that includes aerobic, strength, and range-of-motion exercises.
TrueAn exercise program that includes aerobic, strength, and range-of-motion exercises may reduce joint pain and improve movement and function in a person who has arthritis.
FalseAn exercise program that includes aerobic, strength, and range-of-motion exercises may reduce joint pain and improve movement and function in a person who has arthritis.
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Why is it important to exercise when you have osteoarthritis?
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Osteoarthritis: Exercising With Arthritis
| By: | Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: April 8, 2011 |
| Medical Review: | Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine David A. Fleckenstein, MPT - Physical Therapy | |
© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
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