Resistance exercise is any exercise where muscles contract against an external resistance. You can use dumbbells, weight machines, elastic tubing or bands, soup cans, your own body weight, or any other object that forces your muscles to contract.
For people with knee osteoarthritis, the goal of resistance exercise is to strengthen muscle groups around affected knee joints, stabilize and protect the affected joints, and improve mechanics of the joints. According to a report in the October 2008 issue of Arthritis Care & Research, researchers in Sydney, Australia reviewed 18 previous studies that assessed the effectiveness of resistance exercise on knee osteoarthritis. The results were positive -- resistance exercise improved muscle strength and self-reported pain and physical function in participants from a majority of the 18 studies.
While the results are encouraging, you should first discuss your physical limitations and your expectations for resistance exercise with your doctor. Resistance exercise is not appropriate for all types of arthritis, nor all arthritis patients. Your doctor will evaluate your physical condition and help you decide how to proceed.
Related Resources:
- Therapeutic Exercise for Osteoarthritis
- Exercise is Essential for Arthritis
- Arthritis and Exercise Quiz
- More About Exercise and Osteoarthritis
- How Do Arthritis Patients Perceive Exercise?
Share Your Advice and Experiences:
Photo by Lisa Kyle Young (iStockphoto)
Many physicians advise certain exercise as a way of pain management. But to validate the physiotherapy techniques more research is needed. Though in patients undergoing the muscle function programs good results have been reported.