A regular and systematic weight-training regimen may help treat rheumatoid arthritis patients. A study of 28 patients found that weight training led to improvements in basic physical function, such as lifting, carrying, walking, climbing stairs.
Researchers said such high intensity exercising could play a key role in managing the condition.
BBC News reports:
“RA is mainly a disease affecting the joints, but a less well known symptom is that it also severely reduces muscle mass and strength and this occurs even among patients whose disease is well managed …
They found physical function improved by between 20 percent to 30 percent in the group doing weight training. Strength also increased by nearly 120 percent.”
Sources:
BBC News August 4, 2010
Arthritis and Rheumatism December 2009; 61(12):1726-34.
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