Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by joint inflammation and damage, leading to pain, fatigue, and reduced physical function. Traditional exercise approaches have been considered risky for RA patients due to concerns about exacerbating joint symptoms. However, In 1996 by L.C. Rall et. al., sought to explore the feasibility and safety of high-intensity progressive resistance training in RA patients compared to healthy controls. The study aimed to investigate whether such training could lead to improved strength, pain reduction, and decreased fatigue without adverse effects on disease activity or joint pain.

The study involved eight RA patients, eight healthy young individuals, and eight healthy elderly subjects. These participants engaged in 12 weeks of high-intensity progressive resistance training, while an additional six elderly subjects performed only warm-up exercises and served as a comparison group. The researchers conducted a thorough assessment of various factors at the beginning and end of the training period.

Remarkably, all three training groups showed similar improvements in strength compared to the changes observed in the control subjects. Specifically, the RA group exhibited an impressive 57% increase in strength (P < 0.0005), the young exercise group showed a 44% improvement (P < 0.01), and the elderly exercise group demonstrated a 36% increase (P < 0.05).

Patients with RA experienced no increase in the number of painful or swollen joints. However, they reported a significant reduction in self-reported pain scores by 21% (P < 0.05) and fatigue scores by 38% (P = 0.06). Moreover, RA patients exhibited improved 50-foot walking times, with mean values dropping from 10.4 ± 2.2 seconds to 8.3 ± 1.5 seconds (P < 0.005). Additionally, the RA group showed enhanced balance and gait scores, with values shifting from 48.9 ± 3.8 to 50.4 ± 2.0 (P = 0.07).

The findings of this study demonstrate the feasibility and safety of high-intensity progressive resistance training in carefully selected RA patients with well-controlled disease. Encouragingly, this form of training led to significant improvements in strength, pain, and fatigue without exacerbating disease activity or joint pain. These positive outcomes signify a potential breakthrough in exercise approaches for RA patients, highlighting the importance of tailored and supervised strength training programs to enhance their overall well-being and quality of life. Further research and clinical trials may solidify these findings and pave the way for a more comprehensive integration of progressive resistance training in the management of rheumatoid arthritis.

Reference: Rall, L. C., Meydani, S. N., Kehayias, J. J., Dawson‐Hughes, B., & Roubenoff, R. (1996). The effect of progressive resistance training in rheumatoid arthritis. Increased strength without changes in energy balance or body composition. Arthritis & Rheumatism: Official Journal of the American College of Rheumatology, 39(3), 415-426.