According to a recent study published in the journal Arthritis Research & Therapy, exercising even as little as one hour and 15 minutes a week now can make a difference over the next three years.
AP quotes lead author Kristiann Heesch from the University of Queensland, Australia, as saying, "I don't think the results are suggesting that you should just become this maniac exerciser. What it does suggest is that just adding some walking and moderate activity to your life can make a big benefit."
The study, which focused specifically on middle-aged and older women who did not have a history of stiff and painful joints, suggests that exercising can help keep joints flexible and muscles sturdy and can keep off weight.
The study found that older women, mainly in their 70s, who exercised 75 minutes a week reported fewer symptoms of arthritis than those who exercised less, while women who spent as long as 2 1/2 hours exercising weekly had even less pain in the three years that followed.
Experts believe that exercise directly benefits the joints by making you lose weight, which in turn benefits the joints. Many scientists also believe that exercise causes pain-sensing receptors to become less sensitive so one feels less pain.
They suggest walking, swimming, yoga, tai chi and even some weight training are good ways for older women to exercise after getting their doctor's approval.
However, the study also found that exercise had no effect on arthritis symptoms reported by middle-aged women, and scientists were not able to pinpoint why.
Statistics show one in five American adults have been diagnosed with arthritis, and half of those over age 75 have reported it.
