Nearly 60% of older Americans suffer from arthritis, a progressive joint disease which can make everyday tasks painful and difficult. A team of researchers at Northwestern University has been looking at the various risk factors involved in the outcome of arthritis. They followed a group of nearly 6,000 men and women with arthritis. Here are their results regarding physical activity and arthritis:
- 14% of them became increasingly disabled. This decline was linked to many different factors including added ailments, such as diabetes or stroke and, above all, lack of regular vigorous physical activity.
- 64% of the sample reported lack of exercise.
- Those who did exercise tended to have a better outcome.
- Older people with arthritis need to be encouraged to participate in some form of physical activity for the sake of their future independence.
Read more at http://www.newsfix.ca/2013/06/03/lack-of-vigorous-activity-linked-to-decline-in-those-with-arthritis/
