Autoimmune disease and the effect of exercise
Recently, a comprehensive review of a variety of studies was published that examined how exercise affects autoimmune disease, such as rheumatic diagnoses. This analysis shows both what type of exercise you should focus on and how the exercise should be performed to provide the best anti-inflammatory effect.
We have known for a long time that we all have a lot to gain from physical activity. What makes this review very interesting is the fact that it is so extensive and goes through research done over a long period of time.
The studies included in the review have been published over a period of 20 years and carried out in 25 countries. They include a total of 2,779 participants with autoimmune diagnoses, where the participants were either in a training or a control group.
The importance of regularity
In the review, the researchers distinguish between regular training, which takes place at regular intervals for longer periods, and training of a more sudden or spontaneous nature.
The regular exercise of moderate intensity showed some anti-inflammatory effect. What the researchers call "acute training", i.e. suddenly training a lot or intensively without having built up a foundation for this, however, turned out to be ineffective and even risks temporarily increasing the degree of inflammation.
Cardio and resistance training firsthand
In order to provide the best possible effect when having an autoimmune disease, the regular training should be varied and in particular include both cardio and strength training.
For people with RA, most exercise interventions, which could be described as regular and combined, showed either a reduced disease activity, with variable and moderate anti-inflammatory effects, or no measurable difference in disease activity.
In other words, it seems that there is nothing to lose in getting a regular and varied exercise routine—as a complement to medication—to keep the disease in check and feel as well as possible.
The review in its entirety can be found here: