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 focuses specifically on middle-aged and older women who did not have a history of stiff and painful joints, suggests that longer time spent in exercising can help keep joints flexible, muscles sturdy and keeps 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 did less. While, women who were spending as long as 2 1/2 hours weekly suffered 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. Experts suggest walking, swimming, yoga, tai chi and even some weight training as good ways for older women to exercise after getting their doctors' approval.
However, it was also found that exercise had no effect on arthritis symptoms reported by middle-aged women and scientists were not able to pin point why.
Statistics reports that one in five American adults has been diagnosed with arthritis, half of those over age 75 have reported it. It is a group of conditions where there is damage caused to the joints of the body. Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in people over the age of 65.
