ADDING AEROBIC ACTIVITY

You may have seen articles and health reports noting the importance of aerobic activity. Stiffness and pain from arthritis may have led you to think that it was your greatest health concern or that you could not participate in aerobic activities. Perhaps you are exercising but realize that you need to adjust your program—to add other components or modify existing activities—because of your arthritis. I remind patients that the number one cause of mortality for people over the age of 30 is heart disease, not arthritis. Furthermore, regular activity and exercise usually decrease arthritis symptoms and, contrary to popular belief, do not speed up deterioration in the involved joints (Panush and Brown 1987).

Benefits of Aerobic Activity

Basic Requirements of Aerobic Exercise

Aerobic Activities

Personalizing Your Program