The aim of the master's thesis was to determine the effect of exercise on patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) over a period of 3 months. 17 patients with RA aged between 22 and 55 participated in the research. The participants were divided into an experimental group (10) and a control group (7). At the beginning, we conducted an interview with each patient separately and performed initial measurements of body composition and movement abilities. All patients have also completed two questionnaires for determining the amount of physical activity and the level of RA activity. At the beginning of the study, we found that the patients were not enough physically active and that they did not engage in any strength training. The physical training program included strength training twice a week and aerobic endurance and mobility training once a week. The patients performed two exercises per week under the guidance of a kinesiologist, and they performed one exercise according to our instructions, independently at home. At the end of the training process, all measurements, interviews and questionnaires were repeated. An improvement in muscle strength and mobility in certain joints was noted. The measured improved upper extremity strength (+ 18.44 repetitions, p < 0.001), hip extensor strength (+ 28.89 kg, p = 0.013), trunk extensor endurance (+ 54.30 s, p = 0.002) and maximal expenditure oxygen. (+ 3.90 ml/kgTT/min, p = 0.031). We found an improvement in the mobility of the experimental group in the lower limbs in hip extension (+ 6°, p = 0.008), hip external rotation (+ 6°, p = 0.024) and plantar flexion (+ 4° p = 0.026), compared to the control group .We found an improvement in the patients' well-being and a reduction in morning stiffness. We can conclude that regular physical exercise helps to improve the quality of life of patients with RA and contributes to better functionality in the direction of muscle strength and mobility.
|
