Types of Arthritis

Rheumatoid (RA): younger age, autoimmune. Inflammation/swelling

Osteoarthritis (OA): degenerative, cartilage wearing away, bone on bone

Causes: Muscle weakness, genetics, overuse

Exercise Response: Inflammatory rheumatic affects cardiac and pulmonary function.  Response increases, some may see pain

Acute flare ups - response blunted

Training; They can do almost anything, able to make standard improvements in physiological and psychological aspects of health

Management: Joint protection (prevent falls)

Educate - self management

Exercise often

Meds:  pain relieve, NSAIDS (block mucus membrane in stomach)

Fluid retention meds, mood swings, Anti inflammatorries 

Testing is safe if you know where the pain is and what meds they are on.

Special Precaution :

pain and swelling

some meds decrease performance

use variable speed protocol

unstable joints

Spinal movement - radiculopatny - irritation from a herneated disc

RA: not very mobile in morning so later in the day is better

can do a passive warm up: Sit in sauna

Warm up

Low impact activities depending on body part

improve muscle strength and flexibility

watch over stretching / hyper tension

if pain and swelling, reduce duration and intensity

shoes that minimize shock

Should be functional movements to help with ADLs