Older people with arthritis benefit from 45 minutes of activity a week says new study

Becoming more active benefits older people with arthritis, even if they cannot achieve the recommended ideal levels of exercise. Published in Arthritis Care & Research, the findings suggest that just 45 minutes of activity a week result in measurable health benefits.People in the US are advised to take part in 150 minutes of moderate activity each week to prevent premature death and serious illness. But only 10% of older adults with arthritis in their knees are able to do this.

So a team of experts set 45 minutes a week as a less overwhelming target and investigated if it was enough to result in health benefits.

Findings

• Only one-third of the volunteers improved or had high function after two years;
• The volunteers who achieved a minimum of 45 minutes of moderate activity a week were 80% more likely to improve or sustain high future function.

Implications

While more exercise leads to better results, this study shows that even small goals can benefit joint health and lead to a better quality of life.

“Even a little activity is better than none,” explains Prof Dorothy Dunlop who is involved in the research. “For those older people suffering from arthritis who are minimally active, a 45-minute minimum might feel more realistic.”

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