High intensity exercise for 3 months reduces disease activity in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA): a multicentre randomised trial of 100 patients.

Br J Sports Med. 2020 Mar;54(5):292-297.Sveaas SH, Bilberg A, Berg IJ, et al.

Background: Exercise is considered important in the management of patients with rheumatic diseases, but the effect of high intensity exercises on disease activity is unknown.

Purpose: To investigate the effectiveness of high intensity exercises on disease activity in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA).

Conclusion: High intensity exercises reduced disease symptoms (pain, fatigue, stiffness) and also inflammation in patients with axSpA. It improves patients’ function and CV health. This debunks concerns that high intensity exercise might exacerbate disease activity in patients with axSpA.

See abstract.