Can community walking programmes help people with arthritis to Walk with Ease?

The benefits of moving more for our physical and mental health are undisputed. Staying active is even more important for people with arthritis, as regular exercise keeps the joints moving and muscles and bones strong, easing stiffness and helping us maintain a healthy weight.But when you're dealing with daily pain and fatigue, are fearful of doing further damage to your joints and are lacking in confidence about how to exercise safely, understandably keeping active can feel like a real challenge.That’s why researchers at the University of Aberdeen are exploring if a successful US community walking programme designed specifically for people with arthritis could be exported to the UK.Walk with EaseThe Walk with Ease programme has been running for almost a decade across America. Its proven positive impact on the health and well-being of people with arthritis has led to greater investment and expansion of the programme. Dr Kathryn Martin, Lecturer in Epidemiology at the University of Aberdeen, leads a research programme focusing on physical activity, arthritis and ageing. Her team is conducting a study to test if Walk with Ease could be as effective here in the UK, in the hope of rolling out the programme across the country.Dr Martin says: "Walking is a safe, easy and inexpensive activity that can help most adults to keep active. But there are barriers preventing people with arthritis from getting the health benefits of walking, which Walk with Ease is designed to overcome....
Source: Arthritis Research UK - Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news