Osteoarthritis and Physical Activity
Why focus on osteoarthritis? Because it's the most common form of arthritis. Approximately five million Canadians are affected—nearly one in six—and that number is steadily increasing.
For those who suffer from it, quality of life can be significantly impacted. Joint pain, whether at rest or during activity, limits physical ability, making everyday tasks more difficult. This can lead to a sedentary lifestyle, physical deconditioning, and an increased risk of anxiety and depression.
What Is Osteoarthritis?
To better understand osteoarthritis, a few basic anatomical concepts are useful. An articulation, or joint, is the point where one or more bones meet, along with the surrounding tissues. At the ends of the bones is cartilage, a protective tissue that cushions bones and enables smooth joint movement.
Osteoarthritis is the degeneration of cartilage, the underlying bone, and surrounding soft tissues. Common symptoms include cracking sounds, joint swelling, restricted range of motion, and pain in the affected limbs.
How Can Physical Activity Help?
It’s important to understand that when the muscles around a joint are tight or weak, this increases friction and pressure between joint tissues. A targeted exercise program, tailored to osteoarthritis, helps reduce this friction, improve joint mobility, and slow the wear and tear of affected structures.
Another key point: cartilage is nourished by synovial fluid, which lubricates the joints and supports movement. Physical activity stimulates increased production of this fluid, helping to delay cartilage degradation.
Healthy Weight and Lifestyle Habits
Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight also plays a crucial role in managing osteoarthritis. Positive lifestyle changes—such as eating well, reducing sedentary behaviour, managing stress, and improving sleep—can promote weight loss, thereby reducing the load on your joints and slowing joint degeneration.
Safe, Guided Support at the Centre Multisports
At the Centre Multisports, several services are available to help you get active safely and confidently. Our kinesiology team offers private and semi-private training tailored to your needs.
Whether you're looking to start an adapted fitness program, improve your posture at work, or learn how to manage the intensity of your effort, kinesiology is the ideal service for you.
Références
– Société de l’arthrite, Arthrose, URL : https://arthrite.ca/, 2020
– Jean Drouin et al. (2011), Les exercices qui vous soignent T.01, Les Éditions de l’Homme, 253 pages, Groupe Livre Québecor Média.
– Yves Bergeron et Al. (2008), Pathologie médicale de l’appareil locomoteur 2e édition, Les éditions Edisem, 1472 pages, Malone.