Osteoarthritis is sometimes called a degenerative joint disease or wear and tear arthritis. It is the most common chronic condition of the joints. It occurs when the cartilage or cushioning between the joints breaks down leading to pain, stiffness and swelling.
Osteoarthritis has no specific cause. Several factors lead to the development of osteoarthritis. They included excess weight, injury to a particular area of the body, overuse and genetics. Being overweight for many years can cause the cartilage that cushions the joints to break down faster. Many athletes have arthritis due to wear and tear and injuries. Fractures, ligament damage and cartilage damage are a major cause of osteoarthritis in athletes.
Exercise can help individuals reduce the symptoms of osteoarthritis. Certain types of exercise can help. The exercise program should include exercises that will be beneficial and that do make the person worse. As an example, people with mild osteoarthritis may be able to jog at a slow pace while those with severe osteoarthritis would not be advised to do so. Other exercises such as walking and riding an upright stationary bicycle can help to lubricate the joints and will hopefully result in pain reduction and better mobility.
Although often overlooked by many people that have osteoarthritis, weight training is beneficial for those that have this health problem. Weight training helps to improve the strength of the muscles that surround the affected area. In addition, there are biochemical changes that occur within the joint as a result of weight training. Proper resistance training results in higher levels of Proteoglycan and Hemagglutinin within the joint. That can result in decreases in pain for those that have osteoarthritis.
Many people that have osteoarthritis lack confidence in their ability to perform weight training exercises and to understand that weight training can help. It is common for people to think that putting stress on an area that is causing them pain would not be good for them. It is also difficult for some individuals to believe that weight training may lead to a reduction is pain.
Individuals that have osteoarthritis should consult with their physician before commencing with an exercise program. Not all weight training exercises are recommended for people that have osteoarthritis.
Reference: arthritis.org.