Research

Hormonal

High-intensity progressive resistance training (PRT) safely restores lean body mass and physical function in patients with established, stable rheumatoid arthritis (RA) without exacerbating disease activity.

If you have stable rheumatoid arthritis, high-intensity resistance training (lifting weights at about 80% of your max capacity) twice a week for 24 weeks is a safe and effective way to rebuild muscle and improve physical function. This approach does not worsen your disease activity or inflammation, contrary to older beliefs that RA patients are resistant to muscle building. You should consult your rheumatologist to ensure your disease is stable before starting.

StrongSupportsHIGH confidence
In an RCT, 24 weeks of PRT proved safe and effective in restoring lean mass and function in patients with RA. ... PRT should feature in disease management.
Andrew Lemmey et al. · Arthritis Care & Research · 2009

Why this rating

Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) with a control group, objective measures, and statistical significance.

Source

Effects of high‐intensity resistance training in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A randomized controlled trial

Andrew Lemmey et al. · Arthritis Care & Research · 2009

rct · n=28Cited 248×
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