Dynamic versus Static Training in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract

Sixty-seven patients with classical or definite rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were studied concerning the effects of standardized physical training on muscle function in the lower extremities. The patients were randomly assigned to four different training groups and were given 6 weeks of training supervised by a physiotherapist at a health care centre. The groups differed according to type (dynamic or static) and extent (12 or 4 times) of training. During this training period as well as for an additional 3 months, the patients carried out programs of exercise at home (either dynamic or static). A significantly greater increase in function during the 6-week period as regards muscle strength, endurance, aerobic capacity, and functional ability was found for the dynamic as compared with the static groups. The findings at follow-up 3 months later were similar. The effectiveness of the programs did not vary with the extent of training. In conclusion, in RA patients, dynamic training gives a greater increase in physical capacity than does static training.

Exercise prescription in the management of rheumatoid arthritis

“…28 In patients with RA with acute forms of the disease, static or isometric exercises can be used to prevent a possible decrease in muscle function. 45 Contractions that are held for six seconds, repeated 5-10 times, are generally recommended. Even brief isometric contraction increases the strength of a muscle.…”

Efficacy of cardiorespiratory aerobic exercise in rheumatoid arthritis: Meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials

“…In a previous randomized controlled trial (RCT), we showed that an exercise program had a greater impact on both disability assessed by the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) and quality of life than conventional joint rehabilitation (3), contrasting with most of the previous similar studies that failed to detect any statistical difference on the HAQ (4,5) or quality of life (6). Several trials showed that exercises were safe in RA rehabilitation and effectively improved aerobic fitness (3,5,7,8). Previous systematic literature reviews of the efficacy of physical exercises in RA patients confirmed these results (9,10).…”

A systematic review of the effects of dynamic exercise in rheumatoid arthritis

“…Intervention is education; outcome is compliance with treatment Buljina et al 33 Non-dynamic hand exercises only Daltroy et al 34 Pooled data of patients with RA and SLE Ekdahl et al 35 Baseline and final data not presented numerically Eversden et al 36 Not dynamic exercise (hydrotherapy)…”