Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program

In 1986, the Arthritis Foundation identified the need for a comprehensive exercise program, including a variety of different exercises to accommodate people with varying degrees of joint involvement. A grant was received from the Coca-Cola Foundation to help support the program development and pilot testing. The first instructor’s training workshop was held in September 1986 in Atlanta Georgia. A pilot test was conducted with 9 classes in Georgia and Dallas, Texas. Subsequently in 1987, People with Arthritis Can Exercise (PACE) program was launched. In 2005, the program was renamed the Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program (AFEP) to reach more people.

Types of Arthritis

Arthritis means, “joint inflammation.”  The term actually refers to more than 100 rheumatic diseases.  Rheumatic diseases are conditions characterized by inflammation or degeneration of the connective tissue structures of the body, especially the joints and related structures. Including muscles, bursae, tendons, and fibrous tissue.  People with rheumatic diseases experience pain, stiffness and/or limitation of motion of these parts.  

The two most commonly known types of arthritis are Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis.  However, Osteoporosis and Fibromyalgia are also common.  Some other rheumatic diseases are:          
        Ankylosis spondylitis, Bursitis/Tendinitis, Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD), Gout, Infectious Arthritis, Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, Polymyositis, Psoriatic Arthritis, Raynaud’s Phenomenon, Rheumatic Fever, Scleroderma and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Exercise and Arthritis

Exercise is an important component in the comprehensive health care management program for an individual with arthritis. Proper exercise promotes optimum joint flexibility, muscle strength, endurance, coordination and cardiovascular conditioning.

Exercise may take different forms: (a) activities of daily living (ADL) including tasks that are normally performed as part of a daily routine such as cooking, gardening, dressing and climbing stairs; (b) recreational activities including hobbies, games, and sports such as walking and golf; and (c) therapeutic exercises including those prescribed by a health professional to correct a specific problem or achieve a specific goal like increasing joint mobility, muscle strength and endurance.

The AFEP has several components that include:

• Range of Motion (ROM) exercises
• Strengthening exercises
• Endurance activities
• Weight-bearing activities
• Balance and coordination activities
• Posture and body mechanics training
• Body awareness activities
• Breathing exercises
• Relaxation techniques
• Health education
• Practical tips
• Movement activities
• Activities to promote self-care

Benefits of Exercise for Arthritis

People could significantly improve their overall health and quality of life by practicing some form of physical activity on a regular basis. Regular moderate physical activity is beneficial in strengthening muscles and bones, decreasing fatigue, increasing stamina and flexibility and improving overall sense of well being.

Exercise helps to:

• Keep joints moving
• Strengthen muscles around the joints
• Strengthen and maintain bone and cartilage tissue
• Improve overall ability to do everyday activities
• Improve sleep
• Increase energy level
• Help in weight control
• Improve cardiovascular conditioning
• Decrease depression
• Improve self-esteem and emotional health

Program Objectives

• To provide participants with a safe and enjoyable exercise program
• To improve self-image and self-esteem through increased physical well-being
• To encourage positive social interaction among participants
• To decrease stress, depression and isolation
• To maintain or improve certain physical parameters depending on the choice of activities and exercises
• To improve performance of daily activities
• To increase participant’s awareness of arthritis exercise principles joint protection principles and relaxation techniques and provide participants with methods for incorporating these self-care skills into the home environment.

Target Audience

The Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program is designed for anyone with arthritis or related rheumatic disease or musculo-skeletal conditions ranging from person who are older, sedentary and very limited by impaired joint motion to those with only mild joint involvement and/or problems with fatigue

QiSsage Body Systems, LLC and NJ Chapter Arthritis Foundation

QBS, LLC has become an authorized agent for the New Jersey Chapter Arthritis Foundation. We have a qualified leader who has been certified by the Arthritis Foundation to conduct this program. We service the southern part of New Jersey (Mercer, Burlington, Ocean & Camden Counties).

We can conduct a program for your organization, church, school, group, business or corporation for:

The program consists of 4 main elements:

• Exercise – including stretching or range of motion, strengthening and endurance exercises/routines
• Health Education – providing up to date information about arthritis self-management and exercise
• Movement Activities – to promote social interaction, movement, balance and body awareness
• Relaxation Exercises – to introduce and practice various stress management techniques which are helpful for stress and pain reduction.

Programs are usually conducted 2-3 times a week for 1 hour.

If you have any questions or would like more information, please e-mail QBS and we will be happy to respond.