Newswise, November 15, 2016 — It's never too late to reap the
benefits of exercise, and that includes older adults with arthritis and other
muscle and joint conditions, according to a study.
Researchers at Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) found that a
low-impact exercise program in senior centers in New York City’s Chinatown and
Flushing, Queens communities helped decrease pain, improve mobility and enhance
quality of life for many participants.
The study, titled, “Effects of a Culturally Tailored
Low-Impact Exercise Program for Chinese Older Adults in NYC,” was presented at
the American Public Health Association annual meeting on November 1 in Denver.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
Asian seniors had the highest rate of physical inactivity (defined as no physical
activity beyond basic daily life activities), 29% of them lived in poverty, and
75% had limited English language proficiency in 2012.
In addition, Chinese
Americans were less likely to seek health care because of cost and language and
cultural barriers.
"In 2011, HSS developed the Asian Community Bone Health
Initiative, a culturally-tailored low-impact exercise program aimed at
improving musculoskeletal health in the underserved Chinese older adult
community," said Minlun (Demi) Wu, MPA, research coordinator, Department
of Public & Patient Education at Hospital for Special Surgery.
"Joints will often stiffen if not used, and muscles will
weaken if not exercised. Our bodies are meant to move, and inactivity leads to
weakness and stiffness, and joints with arthritis often worsen with
inactivity," said Theodore Fields, MD, director, Rheumatology Faculty
Practice Plan at HSS.
The exercise classes, which were free and open to community members, took place once a week for eight weeks.
Participants performed
chair and floor mat exercises using stretch bands and other gentle exercises.
Certified bilingual instructors made the sessions culturally relevant by
integrating Chinese breathing techniques and meditation into the program.
A survey was distributed to participants before the classes
started and again after they ended to evaluate pain, physical function,
stiffness, fatigue, balance and other health indicators.
A total of 256 adults completed the questionnaires between
September 2011 and June 2016. Ninety-three percent of participants were female,
and 73 percent were between 60 and 79 years of age.
"Overall, the program was very well-received," said
Wu. "After completing the classes, statistically significant differences
were found in pain intensity, physical function, balance, and confidence about
exercising without making symptoms worse."
Participants also reported significant improvements in the
ability to perform activities of daily living, such as lifting or carrying
groceries; climbing stairs; bending, kneeling and stooping; and bathing and
getting dressed.
Additional findings:
• 84% of respondents reported less pain after participating in the program
• 95% of participants reported less stiffness
• 92% of participants reported less fatigue
• 95% of participants reported that their balance improved
• 100% of participants said they were very satisfied with the program and would recommend it to others
"The study results are consistent with the experience of
rheumatologists and with prior studies showing that exercise, even of mild
degree, helps with pain," said Dr. Fields.
"Getting people up and moving does appear to help with
mood, pain and overall functioning."
"Given the social and financial implications of
musculoskeletal diseases, it is paramount to identify effective programs that
reduce the impact of these debilitating conditions," said Wu.
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