High-Intensity Interval Training, Strength Exercise Beneficial in RA
By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter
TUESDAY, Sept. 3, 2024 -- For patients with rheumatoid arthritis, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and strength exercise are beneficial for cardiovascular health, physical fitness, and overall health, according to a study published online Aug. 23 in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.
Annelie Bilberg, Ph.D., from the University of Gothenburg Sahlgrenska Academy in Sweden, and colleagues examined the effects of HIIT and strength exercise on cardiovascular health, physical fitness, and overall health in a study involving 87 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Participants were randomly assigned to an intervention group (IG), which performed HIIT and strength exercise for 12 weeks, or a control group, which was instructed to be physically active on a moderately intensive level for ≥150 minutes/week. The change in cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2 max) was the primary outcome.
The researchers observed a significant mean group difference in favor of the IG in terms of change in VO2 max (3.71 mL/kg/min). Significant mean group differences of change in favor of the IG were also seen for oxygen pulse, waist circumference, one-minute sit-to-stand, handgrip strength, overall health, and the Patient Global Impression of Change. There were no significant mean group differences of change seen for pain, Disease Activity Score in 28 joints, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate.
"HIIT and strength exercise in combination appear to be feasible and well tolerated and could be recommended as a treatment option to improve cardiovascular and physical health in patients with well-controlled rheumatoid arthritis," the authors write.
Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.
© 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Posted September 2024
Read this next
Urinary Incontinence Linked to CVD Risk Factors, Comorbid Conditions
FRIDAY, May 2, 2025 -- Urinary incontinence is not associated with moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) classification, but is associated with cardiovascular disease...
Psoriatic Arthritis Tied to Delays in Diagnosis Compared With Rheumatoid Arthritis
WEDNESDAY, April 30, 2025 -- Patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) have delays in diagnosis compared with those with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), according to a study published...
Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes Partly Mediate Association Between Prepregnancy Obesity, CVD Risk
MONDAY, April 21, 2025 -- Adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs) mediate a small proportion of the association between prepregnancy obesity and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in...
More news resources
- FDA Medwatch Drug Alerts
- Daily MedNews
- News for Health Professionals
- New Drug Approvals
- New Drug Applications
- Drug Shortages
- Clinical Trial Results
- Generic Drug Approvals
Subscribe to our newsletter
Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.