POLL REVEALS EXERCISE REDUCES ARTHRITIS PAIN Active Individuals Experience Fewer Limitations

ATLANTA – A poll conducted on behalf of the Arthritis Foundation by Harris Interactive suggests that people with arthritis who exercise regularly have less joint pain than those who exercise less often. Eighty-one percent of people with arthritis who exercise three or more days per week reported they are virtually joint-pain free, compared to 66 percent who exercise two or less days per week, drawing a strong correlation between the amount of exercise and lack of joint pain.

“The recommended guideline for people with arthritis is to participate in physical activity three or more days per week, as studies have shown that amount of activity lessens pain and disability,” said Dr. Patience White, chief public health officer of the Arthritis Foundation. Unfortunately, 43 percent of people with arthritis exercise less than the recommended three or more days per week.

In fact, 75 percent of people who are inactive are limited in some way. Of people with arthritis 55 years and older, more than half (59 percent) exercise less than the recommended three days or more a week, and one-third (31 percent) reported they are limited in activities they can accomplish due to joint pain.

“Although the temptation may be to stay inactive in order to avoid aggravating the condition, by being physically active people with arthritis can actually improve their quality of life,” said White. “Simply walking can reduce joint pain and stiffness, build muscles around the joints and improve overall health – enabling people with arthritis to experience fewer limitations and lead a fuller life.”

“In addition to improving arthritis pain physical activity promotes weight loss,” said White. “For people above their ideal weight, losing as little as 11 pounds decreases the risk of painful knee osteoarthritis. Arthritis is the nation’s leading cause of disability, but the good news is that arthritis can be controlled or prevented by physical activity.”

Arthritis or chronic joint symptoms affect one in three, or 66 million Americans, including 300,000 children. As the nation’s leading cause of disability, arthritis costs the United States $86.2 billion every year.

About the Omnibus Survey
The Omnibus Survey was conducted on behalf of the Arthritis Foundation by Harris Interactive from April 10 to April 13, 2006. The survey gathered information from more than 2,000 respondents with varying demographics. It is not a prospective, controlled intervention study. For more detailed information regarding the study, please contact Sara Ruth at 404-266-7540 or sruth@webershandwick.com or Donia Crime at 404-266-7578 or dcrime@webershandwick.com.

About The Arthritis Foundation
The Arthritis Foundation is the only nationwide, not-for-profit health organization helping people take greater control of arthritis by leading efforts to prevent, control and cure arthritis and related diseases – the nation's number one cause of disability. May is National Arthritis Month, and the Arthritis Foundation is holding hundreds of Arthritis Walk® events across the country to help raise funds to prevent, control and cure arthritis – the nation's leading cause of disability. For information on arthritis, including health education and fitness programs to help you take control, contact the Arthritis Foundation at 800-568-4045 or on the Web at http://www.arthritis.org.