Exercise programmes can decrease pain and improve mobility for older people, says new US research

A low-impact exercise programme is improving quality of life for many older adults with arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions, according to the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York.
The study focused on Asian older people because 25% of Asian seniors age 65 years and older in New York live in poverty and are affected by musculoskeletal conditions.

So a total of 204 Asian people took part in an eight-week low-impact exercise programme, and completed surveys before and after taking the exercises classes: 90% were women; 76% were aged 65–84 years; and 88% had a musculoskeletal condition.

Analysis of the data after the programme ended suggested that muscle and joint pain was reduced by 32%. Furthermore:
• 88% more of the volunteers could climb several flights of stairs;
• 66% more of the volunteers could lift/carry groceries;
• 63% more of the participants could bend, kneel or stoop;
• 91% of the participants felt the programme reduced their fatigue;
• 97% of the volunteers reported that the programme reduced their stiffness;
• 95% of the volunteers felt their balance improved;
• 96% of the participants said they felt more confident that exercising would not make their symptoms worse.

“Getting seniors to be active in any way will generally improve their quality of life and help them function better in their everyday activities,” explains Dr Linda Russell, who is involved in the work. “People believe that if you have arthritis you shouldn’t exercise, but appropriate exercises actually help decrease pain.”

The study was presented at the American College of Rheumatology/Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals annual meeting in San Francisco.

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