Download PDF
Int J Sports Med 2009; 30(11): 814-820
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1233467
Training & Testing

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Recreational Exercise in Rheumatic Diseases

J. Holla 1 , M. Fluit 1 , D. van Schaardenburg 2 , J. Dekker 2 , E. Verhagen 3 , M. Steultjens 3
  • 1Jan van Breemen Institute, Sports Centre, Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • 2Jan van Breemen Institute, Rheumatology, Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • 3EMGO Institute, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Further Information

Publication History

accepted after revision June 03, 2009

Publication Date:
14 August 2009 (online)

Also available at
    Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate changes in health-related quality of life after eight to twelve months of recreational exercise in patients with rheumatic diseases (inflammatory joint disease, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia and other generalized pain syndromes), and to determine whether patient (age, sex, diagnosis) and exercise characteristics (follow-up time, type of activity, frequency of participation) are related to health-related quality of life change. Health-related quality of life was assessed twice in 138 patients with rheumatic diseases. 1) At enrolment in a centre for outpatient recreational exercise and 2) following eight to twelve months of recreational exercise. Health-related quality of life was measured using the Short-Form Health Survey 36 and three numeric rating scales for pain, fatigue and general condition. Multiple linear regression was used to analyze the influence of patient and exercise characteristics on follow-up HRQoL-score. Patients showed significant improvements in pain and general condition, and reported a positive change in health. A diagnosis of inflammatory joint disease (e. g. rheumatoid arthritis, polyarthritis, spondylitis) or osteoarthritis, participating in sports activities two to three times per week, and following land-based fitness classes were associated with the most improvement in health-related quality of life. Regular participation in recreational exercise contributes to improved health-related quality of life in patients with rheumatic diseases.

Key words

fibromyalgia - fitness - health - osteoarthritis - rheumatoid arthritis - sports

References

  • 1 Aaronson NK, Muller M, Cohen PD, Essink-Bot ML, Fekkes M, Sanderman R, Sprangers MA, te Velde A, Verrips E. Translation, validation, and norming of the Dutch language version of the SF-36 Health Survey in community and chronic disease populations.  J Clin Epidemiol. 1998;  51 1055-1068
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 2 Abell JE, Hootman JM, Zack MM, Moriarty D, Helmick CG. Physical activity and health related quality of life among people with arthritis.  J Epidemiol Community Health. 2005;  59 380-385
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 3 Ayan C, Martin V, Alonso-Cortes B, Alvarez MJ, Valencia M, Barrientos MJ. Relationship between aerobic fitness and quality of life in female fibromyalgia patients.  Clin Rehabil. 2007;  21 1109-1113
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 4 Baker K, McAlindon T. Exercise for knee osteoarthritis.  Curr Opin Rheumatol. 2000;  12 456-463
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 5 Bischoff HA, Roos EM. Effectiveness and safety of strengthening, aerobic, and coordination exercises for patients with osteoarthritis.  Curr Opin Rheumatol. 2003;  15 141-144
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 6 Bronnum-Hansen H, Juel K, Davidsen M, Sorensen J. Impact of selected risk factors on quality-adjusted life expectancy in Denmark.  Scand J Public Health. 2007;  35 510-515
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 7 Bulthuis Y, Mohammad S, Braakman-Jansen LM, Drossaers-Bakker KW, van de Laar MA. Cost-effectiveness of intensive exercise therapy directly following hospital discharge in patients with arthritis: results of a randomized controlled clinical trial.  Arthritis Rheum. 2008;  59 247-254
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 8 Busch AJ, Barber KA, Overend TJ, Peloso PM, Schachter CL. Exercise for treating fibromyalgia syndrome.  Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2007;  , CD003786
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 9 Callahan LF, Mielenz T, Freburger J, Shreffler J, Hootman J, Brady T, Buysse K, Schwartz T. A randomized controlled trial of the people with arthritis can exercise program: symptoms, function, physical activity, and psychosocial outcomes.  Arthritis Rheum. 2008;  59 92-101
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 10 de Jong Z, Munneke M, Zwinderman AH, Kroon HM, Jansen A, Ronday KH, van Schaardenburg D, Dijkmans BA, van den Ende CH, Breedveld FC, Vliet Vlieland TP, Hazes JM. Is a long-term high-intensity exercise program effective and safe in patients with rheumatoid arthritis? Results of a randomized controlled trial.  Arthritis Rheum. 2003;  48 2415-2424
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 11 Eversden L, Maggs F, Nightingale P, Jobanputra P. A pragmatic randomised controlled trial of hydrotherapy and land exercises on overall well being and quality of life in rheumatoid arthritis.  BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2007;  8 23
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 12 Ferraz MB, Quaresma MR, Aquino LR, Atra E, Tugwell P, Goldsmith CH. Reliability of pain scales in the assessment of literate and illiterate patients with rheumatoid arthritis.  J Rheumatol. 1990;  17 1022-1024
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 13 Fransen M, McConnell S, Bell M. Exercise for osteoarthritis of the hip or knee.  Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2003;  , CD004286
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 14 Gowans SE, deHueck A. Effectiveness of exercise in management of fibromyalgia.  Curr Opin Rheumatol. 2004;  16 138-142
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 15 Gusi N, Tomas-Carus P, Hakkinen A, Hakkinen K, Ortega-Alonso A. Exercise in waist-high warm water decreases pain and improves health-related quality of life and strength in the lower extremities in women with fibromyalgia.  Arthritis Rheum. 2006;  55 66-73
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 16 Jentoft ES, Kvalvik AG, Mengshoel AM. Effects of pool-based and land-based aerobic exercise on women with fibromyalgia/chronic widespread muscle pain.  Arthritis Rheum. 2001;  45 42-47
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 17 Klesges RC, Eck LH, Mellon MW, Fulliton W, Somes GW, Hanson CL. The accuracy of self-reports of physical activity.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1990;  22 690-697
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 18 Krishnan E, Hakkinien A, Sokka T, Hannonen P. Impact of age and comorbidities on the criteria for remission and response in rheumatoid arthritis.  Ann Rheum Dis. 2005;  64 1350-1352
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 19 Lee EO, Kim JI, Davis AH, Kim I. Effects of regular exercise on pain, fatigue, and disability in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.  Fam Community Health. 2006;  29 320-327
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 20 Meyer B, Lemley K. Fibromyalgia. In: Durstine JL, Moore GE (eds) ACSM’s exercise management for people with chronic diseases and disabilities. Champaign: Human Kinetics 2003: 192-197
    Search in Google Scholar
  • 21 Minor MA, Kay DR. Arthritis. In: Durstine JL, Moore GE (eds). ACSM’s exercise management for people with chronic diseases and disabilities. Champaign: Human Kinetics 2003: 210-216
    Search in Google Scholar
  • 22 Neuberger GB, Press AN, Lindsley HB, Hinton R, Cagle PE, Carlson K, Scott S, Dahl J, Kramer B. Effects of exercise on fatigue, aerobic fitness, and disease activity measures in persons with rheumatoid arthritis.  Res Nurs Health. 1997;  20 195-204
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 23 Strand V, Singh JA. Improved health-related quality of life with effective disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs: Evidence from randomized controlled trials.  Am J Manag Care. 2008;  14 234-254
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 24 Tomas-Carus P, Hakkinen A, Gusi N, Leal A, Hakkinen K, Ortega-Alonso A. Aquatic training and detraining on fitness and quality of life in fibromyalgia.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2007;  39 1044-1050
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 25 Tomas-Carus P, Gusi N, Hakkinen A, Hakkinen K, Leal A, Ortega-Alonso A. Eight months of physical training in warm water improves physical and mental health in women with fibromyalgia: A randomized controlled trial.  J Rehabil Med. 2008;  40 248-252
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 26 Valim V, Oliveira L, Suda A, Silva L, de Assis M, Barros Neto T, Feldman D, Natour J. Aerobic fitness effects in fibromyalgia.  J Rheumatol. 2003;  30 1060-1069
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 27 van Baar ME, Assendelft WJ, Dekker J, Oostendorp RA, Bijlsma JW. Effectiveness of exercise therapy in patients with osteoarthritis of the hip or knee: a systematic review of randomized clinical trials.  Arthritis Rheum. 1999;  42 1361-1369
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 28 van den Berg MH, de Boer IG, le Cessie S, Breedveld FC, Vliet Vlieland TP. Most people with rheumatoid arthritis undertake leisure-time physical activity in the Netherlands: An observational study.  Aust J Physiother. 2007;  53 113-118
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar

Correspondence

J. Holla

Jan van Breemen Instituut

Sports Centre

Dr. Jan van Breemenstraat 2

Amsterdam

Netherlands

1056 AB

Phone: +31/20/589 65 03

Fax: +31/20/489 30 87

Email: j.holla@janvanbreemen.nl