title: Exercise in patients with inflammatory arthritis and connective tissue disease.
abstract: Patients with systemic rheumatic diseases have significant loss of biomechanical integrity of joints as a result of joint structural and soft-tissue changes. These deficits cause limited joint motion and muscle-strength deficits. Overall aerobic capacity also is reduced. Exercise programs have been shown to increase joint motion, muscle strength, and endurance and should be initiated early in the course of the disease.
authors.affiliation: Georgetown University, Washington, DC.
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Hicks
mesh_terms: D001168:Arthritis / Q000628:therapy*; D015444:Exercise; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D006801:Humans; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000628:therapy*