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 ) .
Effects of home-based resistance training and neuromuscular electrical stimulation in knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial
Background Quadriceps femoris muscle ( QFM ) weakness is a feature of knee osteoarthritis ( OA ) and exercise programs that strengthen this muscle group can improve function , disability and pain . Traditional supervised resistance exercise is however re source intensive and dependent on good adherence which can be challenging to achieve in patients with significant knee OA . Because of the limitations of traditional exercise programs , interest has been shown in the use of neuromuscular electrical stimulation ( NMES ) to strengthen the QFM . We conducted a single-blind , prospect i ve r and omized controlled study to compare the effects of home-based resistance training ( RT ) and NMES on patients with moderate to severe knee OA . Methods 41 patients aged 55 to 75 years were r and omised to 6 week programs of RT , NMES or a control group receiving st and ard care . The primary outcome was functional capacity measured using a walk test , stair climb test and chair rise test . Additional outcomes were self-reported disability , quadriceps strength and cross-sectional area . Outcomes were assessed pre- and post-intervention and at 6 weeks post-intervention ( weeks 1 , 8 and 14 respectively ) . Results There were similar , significant improvements in functional capacity for the RT and NMES groups at week 8 compared to week 1 ( p≤0.001 ) and compared to the control group ( p < 0.005 ) , and the improvements were maintained at week 14 ( p≤0.001 ) . Cross sectional area of the QFM increased in both training groups ( NMES : + 5.4 % ; RT : + 4.3 % ; p = 0.404 ) . Adherence was 91 % and 83 % in the NMES and RT groups respectively ( p = 0.324 ) . Conclusions Home-based NMES is an acceptable alternative to exercise therapy in the management of knee OA , producing similar improvements in functional capacity . Trial registration : Current Controlled Trials IS RCT
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 ) .