Conclusion Exercises and PA promotion according to public health recommendations  for PA improved cardiovascular fitness , muscle strength and PA behaviour , with moderate effect sizes in people with SpA , RA and HOA/KOA .
Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of exercise and physical activity ( PA ) promotion on cardiovascular fitness , muscle strength , flexibility , neuromotor performance ( eg , balance ) and daily PA in people with rheumatoid arthritis ( RA ) , spondyloarthritis ( SpA ) and hip/knee osteoarthritis ( HOA/KOA ) .
The effects of a physical training program on patients with osteoarthritis of the knees.
OBJECTIVE To investigate physical function in patients with severe osteoarthritis ( OA ) of the knees during and after a general physical training program .  DESIGN R and omized control trial , blinded observer , follow-up at 3 months and 1 year . SETTING Outpatient clinic . PATIENTS Consecutive sample of 25 patients ( 3 men , 22 women ) with OA of the knees according to the criteria of the American College of Rheumatology ( ACR ) . Two patients ( 8 % ) failed to complete the study . There were no withdrawals for adverse effects . INTERVENTION Twelve patients received training in groups of 6 , twice a week for 3 months . Training focused on general fitness , balance , coordination , stretching , and lower extremity muscle strength , and included a daily home exercise program . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Muscle strength across the knee ( extension and flexion ) , Algofunctional Index ( AFI ) , pain ( 0 to 10 point scale ) , walking speed , clinical findings . RESULTS Patients participated in 96 of 96 assessment s ( 100 % ) and in 218 of 280 training sessions ( 77.9 % ) . From baseline to 3 months , isokinetic quadriceps strength ( 30 degrees/sec ) improved 20 % ( confidence interval [ CI ] 2alpha = .05 , 8 % to 50 % ) in the least affected leg ; isometric strength improved 21 % . By 1 year , AFI had decreased 3.8 points ( CI2alpha = .05 , 1.0 to 7.0 ) , pain had decreased 2.0 points ( CI2alpha = 05 , 0.0 to 4.0 ) , and walking speed had increased 13 % ( CI2alpha = .05 , 4 % to 23 % ) . There was an increase in the frequency of palpable joint effusions ( p < .01 ) on the most affected side . Frequency of crepitus decreased on the least affected side ( p < .01 ) . CONCLUSIONS General physical training appears to be beneficial to patients with OA of the knee . As shown by the high compliance and low dropout frequency , such a program is feasible even in patients with severe OA of the knee
Conclusion Exercises and PA promotion according to public health recommendations  for PA improved cardiovascular fitness , muscle strength and PA behaviour , with moderate effect sizes in people with SpA , RA and HOA/KOA .
Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of exercise and physical activity ( PA ) promotion on cardiovascular fitness , muscle strength , flexibility , neuromotor performance ( eg , balance ) and daily PA in people with rheumatoid arthritis ( RA ) , spondyloarthritis ( SpA ) and hip/knee osteoarthritis ( HOA/KOA ) .