Abstract

Moderately intensive aerobic and strengthening exercises are recommended in treatment guidelines and are effective in reducing pain and activity limitations in patients with rheumatic diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis and knee and/or hip osteoarthritis. Although exercises are effective and deemed to be safe, adverse events have been reported from exercise trials in the field of rheumatology. The incidence of adverse events, including an increase in pain during and after exercise, an increase in joint inflammation, increased cartilage degeneration, musculoskeletal injuries and falls due to exercise, is low.

Although the frequency of adverse events seems to be low, the question arises as to how people with rheumatic diseases can exercise more safely and therefore avoid adverse events. There is a need to investigate adverse events resulting from exercising as part of the improvement of care for patients with rheumatic diseases. Such studies could focus on the type of patients who are at a greater risk of being confronted with adverse events of exercise and the intensity of exercising. The results of studies investigating these issues will contribute to improving the knowledge of effective exercising in patients with rheumatic diseases.