Physical activity, physical fitness, and general health perception among individuals with rheumatoid arthritis.
OBJECTIVE
To describe self-reported physical activity and physical fitness and to identify correlates of physical activity and general health perception.


METHODS
Data on self-reported physical activity, physical fitness, activity performance, and disease activity were collected from a sample of 298 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).


RESULTS
Forty-seven percent of our sample reported physical activity behaviors that did not comply with public health recommendations. A majority of the patients had decreased lower-limb muscle function (72%), grip force (94%), joint motion (94%), and functional balance (68%). Correlations between self-reported physical activity and other variables were r(s) = 0.25 or less. Variation in general health perception was explained (total adjusted R(2) = 0.65) by pain and activity performance.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings indicate that there is a case for recommendations on and support for healthy physical activity behaviors among people with RA.
Eurenius
Eva
E
Skellefteå Hospital, Skellefteå, Sweden.
Stenström
Christina H
CH
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D010809:Physical Fitness; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires