Exercise is essential in treating people with osteoarthritis.
But even more important, they need general conditioning programs. This includes cardiovascular conditioning or aerobic exercise, as well as strength and flexibility training for the entire body. Exercise is the key not only to living longer, but also to maintaining function as we age and as we get ailments. This is especially important for people with osteoarthritis, who often, because of their disease, lose function and become deconditioned. The exercise program design can be challenging.