Short, brisk walks help to reduce knee osteoarthritis-related disability. Osteoarthritis is a common form of arthritis and is most commonly experienced in the knees. Osteoarthritis is often referred to as a wear-and-tear type of arthritis because cartilage which is found in between joints wears away through repetitive use. Once this cartilage wears away, it cannot be brought back.
There is currently no cure for osteoarthritis. Symptoms can be managed using painkillers and surgery is available if the disease is advanced.
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The latest study involved participants who tracked their movement over the course of four years. The researchers aimed to determine what kind of activity would help prevent disability.
The study found that one weekly hour of moderate-to-vigorous activity helped participants ward off disability.
A weekly hour of exercise was also associated with a reduced risk of mobility-disability by 85 percent and daily disability by 45 percent.
At the end of the study, 24 percent of participants who did not engage in exercise were so slow that they were unable to cross a street in the time of a traffic signal. Twenty-three percent reported that they couldn’t complete regular morning routines.
It is recommended that seniors engage in at least 2.5 hours of physical activity a week to help reduce the risk of chronic disease. This may be challenging for seniors who live in pain. That is why the goal of at least one hour a week is something more attainable and can still provide benefits.
Emily Lunardo studied medical sociology at York University with a strong focus on the social determinants of health and mental illness. She is a registered Zumba instructor, as well as a Canfit Pro trainer, who teaches fitness classes on a weekly basis. Emily practices healthy habits in her own life as well as helps others with their own personal health goals. Emily joined Bel Marra Health as a health writer in 2013.
