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Table of Contents

Overview
Patient Presents
Physical Exam
Physical Fitness
Exercise Section
• Exercise Program
• Successful Exercise
• Before Exercising
• Changes in Fitness
• Second Exercise Program
Orthotics
Knee Replacement
Current Exercise
Patient's Experience
Physical Therapist
Summary
References

Authors:

Carmen Christopher, BA, SPT

Marian A. Minor, PT, PhD

School of Health Professions and School of Medicine, University of Missouri-Columbia
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Rheumatoid Arthritis and Aerobic Exercise

Exercise Section

Changes in Physical Fitness

Two people walking. Encouraged by her doctor, Jody joined an exercise research project sponsored by the Arthritis Foundation in 1985. She participated in a 60-minute water aerobics class, 3 times a week for 12 weeks. Before beginning the program, Jody could walk at most one block, always with intense pain. At the end of three months of exercise she could walk for 15 minutes without pain. Below are her data for pre- and post-exercise assessments.


First Exercise Program
Performance before and after a water aerobics class, 3 times a week, 12 weeks, 60 minute sessions
Measurement Before the exercise class After 3 months
VO 2 ml · kg -1 · min -1 19.7 (15th percentile) 23.0 (20th percentile)
Sit and Reach 1 cm (5th percentile) 3 cm (5th percentile)
50 foot walk time 10.5 seconds 9.0 seconds
Weight 91 kg 80.9 kg
Blood pressure 118/88 100/90
Resting heart rate 83 104
Morning stiffness 15 min 15 min
Clinically active joints 29/63 29


Starting sit and reach Ending sit and reach
Starting sit and reach Ending sit and reach


AIMS (Arthritis Impact Measurement Scale) scores
before and after a water aerobics class
(0 - 10; higher number indicates more disability)
AIMS score Before the exercise class After 3 months
Physical activity 6 6
Social activity 8 7
Dexterity 8 10
Depression 6 6
Pain 5 5
Health perception 8 6
Arthritis impact 3 3

Post-exercise attendance rate = 94%

What is VO2 max?

What is the significance of VO2 max in terms of health and fitness?

Previous: Before Exercising
Next: Second Exercise Program

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Last Update: Sep 5 2006