Arthritis is the most common cause of adult disability in the United States. People with arthritis typically shy away from physical activity, thereby causing their health to spiral downward. Physical inactivity causes significant deconditioning, which results in diminished endurance and muscular strength, as well as joint weakness, all of which accelerate the negative effect of arthritis and associated pain. Additionally, physical inactivity increases the risk for CAD, diabetes, obesity, and other chronic health conditions. As such, people with arthritis should be encouraged to introduce and/or maintain regular physical activity to promote health, as it has been linked with decreased pain, delayed onset of disability, improved physical functioning, aerobic capacity, muscle strength, mood and independence, and, perhaps most importantly, enhanced quality of life.
