adults aged ≥18 years conducted by health departments in 50 states, the District of Columbia (DC), and U.S. Health care providers can help inactive adults with arthritis become active and, by encouraging physical activity and referring these persons to evidence-based physical activity programs, improve their health and quality of life.īRFSS is an ongoing, state-based landline and cellular telephone survey of noninstitutionalized U.S. states, at least two thirds of adults with arthritis who engaged in physical activity reported walking. In 2019, 67.2% of adults with arthritis reported engaging in physical activity in the past month among these persons, the most commonly reported activities were walking (70.8%), gardening (13.3%), and weightlifting (7.3%). CDC analyzed 2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data to examine the most common nonwork–related physical activities among adults with arthritis who reported any physical activity during the past month, nationally and by state. Little is known about which physical activities adults with arthritis engage in. adults currently living with arthritis are generally less active than adults without arthritis, and only 36.2% of adults with arthritis are aerobically active (i.e., meet aerobic physical activity guidelines*) ( 2). Despite these benefits, the 54.6 million U.S. Physical activity can improve physical function and reduce pain and fall risk among adults with arthritis, a group of approximately 100 conditions affecting joints and surrounding tissues (most commonly osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, gout, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus) ( 1). The numerous health benefits of physical activity include reduced risk for chronic disease and improved mental health and quality of life ( 1).

Compendium of physical activities 2021