Study: People With Arthritis Exercise Less

Despite compelling, well-documented benefits of exercise on those with arthritis, people with arthritis exercise less, a U.S. study finds.

University of South Carolina researchers studied the perceived barriers to and benefits of exercise among people with arthritis.

In the study, 68 people with arthritis were divided into 12 focus groups and discussed their perceptions of exercise, as well as their experiences.

The researchers found that all focus groups stressed pain as a barrier, but exercisers were more likely to make adaptations and work through the pain to attain the benefits of exercise, while non-exercisers were more likely to give up exercise altogether.

Non-exercisers were much more likely than exercisers to express the belief that they were physically unable to exercise, and they were more likely to cite their physician’s failure to refer them to helpful exercise programs.

For both exercisers and non-exercisers, the lack of exercise programs or facilities for individuals with arthritis also emerged as a barrier.

The study is published in the August issue of Arthritis Care & Research.