We all know exercise is “good for us,” but the benefits can even be greater for children with arthritis – as can the downsides of being physically inactive. That’s why it's especially crucial for children with arthritis to keep moving.
Fitness facts
By and large, studies show that kids with arthritis are deconditioned compared to their healthy counterparts. Specifically, they have less muscle strength and muscle endurance. They also have decreased aerobic capacity (needed for prolonged exercise) and anaerobic capacity (needed to perform intense bursts of activity); therefore, they fatigue faster during physical activity than kids who don’t have arthritis. These effects can be felt even when the disease is inactive.
On the flip side, studies also demonstrate that these conditions can be improved with exercise training. Aerobic and anaerobic capacity can be boosted, and resistance training can increase muscle strength and endurance.
Yes, they can
Perhaps the most important thing to know about exercise for children with arthritis is that it does no harm. They can exercise and should.
“There are lots of studies that show that exercise training, whether it’s land or waterbased, is safe,” says Susan Klepper, PhD, PT, assistant professor of clinical physical therapy at Columbia University in New York City. “In other words, the number of joints that are swollen or painful don’t increase after exercise programs that generally run anywhere from one to three times a week, lasting six to 20 weeks long. These kids don’t report more pain, they don’t report increased morning stiffness or any other classic signs of disease.”
Big benefits
In fact, a Canadian study recently published in Arthritis Care & Research found aerobic exercise helped children with arthritis. It looked at the effectiveness of high-intensity aerobic training (cardio-karate) versus low-intensity aerobic training (qigong, similar to tai chi) in 80 children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), ages 8 to 16.
“Both groups improved a statistically and clinically important amount in physical function,” says the study leader, Brian Feldman, MD, professor of pediatrics, University of Toronto and staff rheumatologist at The Hospital for Sick Children.
Although the kids who did qigong stuck with the 12-week program the best, “both groups also commented on improved confidence with physical activity, improved balance and overall improved physical abilities,” reported Dr. Feldman.
my daughter has been getting weekly methotrexate injections at home and they've definitely helped.
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