The importance of exercise
With the summer in full swing, we come with another interesting research paper concerning the importance of exercise. For patients suffering from gouty arthritis, exercise may seem like the last thing on their mind. After all, when your joints are inflamed and painful, the last thing you want to do is put pressure on them. However, according to this recent study, exercise can actually be beneficial for patients with gouty arthritis. Let’s take a closer look at the research.
The study was conducted by a team of researchers at Kyung Hee University in Korea. It was a randomized, open-labeled, controlled trial that examined the effects of aerobic exercise on body composition in overweight and obese patients with gout. A total of 54 participants were split into two groups: a control group and an experimental group. The experimental group participated in an aerobic exercise program three times per week for 12 weeks, while the control group did not participate in any exercise program.
Body composition was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) before and after the 12-week period. The researchers found that the experimental group had significantly lower body fat levels than the control group after 12 weeks. In addition, the experimental group showed improved insulin resistance and lower levels of inflammation, as well as improved quality of life scores.
I can share a personal experience as well. As a gouty arthritis patient, I developed a habit of keeping a pace and swimming 2 to 3 times per week—not too much—around 45 minutes to an hour. I combined this with enough water intake (around 3l per day), and the effect was that I haven’t actually suffered flares for more than 4 years now.
So, what does this all mean? Essentially, the study showed that aerobic exercise can help decrease body fat, improve insulin resistance, and lower inflammation levels in overweight and obese patients with gouty arthritis. If you suffer from gouty arthritis, talk to your doctor about incorporating some moderate aerobic exercise into your treatment plan. Remember, every little bit helps!
If you’re wondering what sports are suitable for gouty arthritis patients check our other articles like: the benefits of swimming or other suitable sports for gouty arthritis sufferers.
Resources:
PMCID: PMC9446810 PMID: 36064594 “The effects of aerobic exercise on body composition in overweight and obese patients with gout: a randomized, open-labeled, controlled trial”