Effects of physical activity and exercise on physical and mental health outcomes in female older adults with arthritis

Abstract

Background: Arthritis is a chronic, degenerative disease, which affects two million older Canadians, of which the majority are older females (65+ years). With no cure, methods to improve arthritic symptoms are essential to maintain physical and mental health. Physical activity (PA) and exercise may be advantageous strategies for improving arthritis-related symptoms and mental health outcomes, yet there is a lack of consistent evidence surrounding these terms. Aims and Significance: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the health-related benefits of PA and exercise and assess the relationship between leisure-time activity levels and pain; discomfort; physical function; range of motion (ROM); mobility, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) outcomes in females aged 65 years and older. Methods: 40 older females residing in the Durham Region of Ontario participated in the study of which 60% (N=24) were categorized as active (71 years mean age) and 40% (N=16) were considered inactive (82 years mean age). Self-reported questionnaires were employed to measure health outcomes including a visual analog scale (VAS), a health questionnaire, medical outcomes short form-12 (SF-12) and activity levels questionnaire for older adults (ALQOA). Results: Older active arthritic females reported less pain (p<0.001); less discomfort (p<0.001); higher physical function (p<0.0001); higher ROM (p<0.001); higher mobility (p<0.0001), and higher HRQOL (p<0.0001) scores, in comparison to their inactive counterparts. Conclusion: In support of my hypotheses, older females with arthritis who were active reported significantly: (i) Less pain; (ii) lower discomfort; (iii) higher HRQOL; (iv) higher mobility; (v) higher physical function, and (vi) higher ROM. These preliminary findings suggest that older females with arthritis living an active lifestyles can have both physical and mental health benefits.