The Importance of Exercise for Musculoskeletal Conditions

Things to remember

Exercise can help reduce the symptoms of arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions
Gentle exercises such as warm water exercise and tai chi can be particularly helpful
Exercise programs should be planned in consultation with your doctor and physiotherapist, exercise physiologist or fitness professional.

Arthritis is a general term that refers to over 150 different conditions. The accurate term for this group of conditions is musculoskeletal conditions, as they affect the muscles, bones and/or joints.

Your musculoskeletal system

To understand how arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions work, it’s helpful to know a little about the muscles, bones and joints that make up your musculoskeletal system.

A joint is a structure that allows movement at the meeting point of two bones. Cartilage is a firm cushion that covers the ends of the two bones, absorbing shock and enabling the bones to glide smoothly over each other. The joint is wrapped inside a tough capsule filled with synovial fluid. This fluid lubricates the cartilage and other structures in the joint and keeps it moving smoothly.

Ligaments hold the joint together by joining one bone to another. Your muscles are attached to the bones by tendons. As your muscles contract, they pull on the bones to make the joint move.

Arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions affect the normal functioning of the joints, muscles, bones and surrounding structures. The way this happens will depend on the condition you have.

Musculoskeletal conditions can cause pain, stiffness and often inflammation in one or more joints or muscles. Regular exercise can reduce some of these symptoms, and improve your joint mobility and strength.

Benefits of exercise

Regular exercise has many health benefits for people with musculoskeletal conditions. Exercise can:

aid joint lubrication and nourishment
ease your joint pain and stiffness
improve flexibility
build muscular strength
improve your balance
help you sleep better
improve posture
improve or maintain the density of your bones
improve overall health and fitness
lower stress levels
improve your mood
help you maintain a healthy body weight.

Types of exercise for musculoskeletal conditions

There are many different forms of exercise to choose from. The type that will be best for you will depend on your personal preference, the severity of your symptoms and whether or not you have other musculoskeletal conditions or health issues.

If you aren’t sure which exercises are suitable for you, be guided by your doctor or other health professional, such as a physiotherapist or exercise physiologist.

You should aim to do some form of exercise every day.

The exercises you choose should ideally help with:

flexibility – stretching and range of movement exercises help maintain or improve the flexibility of your joints and nearby muscles. They will help keep your joints moving properly and ease joint stiffness.
strength – to build muscle strength, provide stability to your joints, improve your bone health and improve your ability to perform daily tasks.
overall fitness – exercise that gets you moving and increases your heart rate (e.g. walking, swimming, cycling) will help improve the health of your heart and lungs (cardiovascular system) and can also help with endurance, weight loss, prevention of other health problems (e.g. diabetes). This type of exercise is also called aerobic exercise, cardiovascular exercise or ‘cardio’.

Many types of exercise can help with flexibility, strength and overall fitness at the same time including:

swimming or water exercise classes
tai chi
walking
chair exercises
low-impact aerobics
strength training

The exercise you choose should be something you enjoy and you’re committed to doing. Consider exercising with friends, in a group or a team environment if you find it difficult to get motivated.

Sometimes it can be difficult to exercise due to pain. An inflamed, hot or painful joint needs rest, but too little exercise can cause muscle weakness, pain and stiffness. It’s important to find the right balance of rest and exercise. If you’re not sure what the right balance is for you, talk with your doctor, physiotherapist or exercise physiologist for some advice.

Exercising in the water

Warm water exercise is particularly helpful if you have arthritis or a musculoskeletal condition because your body is supported and the resistance provided by moving through water builds muscle strength and endurance.

Water exercise involves exercising in a pool, usually heated, and may also be called ‘hydrotherapy’. There are several ways you can exercise in water. The most suitable type of water exercise for you depends on factors such as the type of arthritis you have and how it affects you, your fitness level, your confidence in the water, your personal preferences and interests.

The types of water exercise available include:

hydrotherapy – a type of exercise therapy offered by physiotherapists as one on one sessions for individuals or in small groups. Exercises are more specific for your condition, injury or situation.
gentle water exercise classes – some fitness or recreation centres offer gentle water exercise programs suitable for older adults or people with health conditions such as arthritis. All participants follow the same general exercises in a fun, group environment.
swimming laps at your local pool can also help.

Starting a water exercise program

Venues that may run warm water exercise classes include recreation centres, fitness centres, public swimming pools and retirement villages.

Things you can do before you choose a class include:

talk with your doctor, physiotherapist or exercise physiologist about whether it’s right for you.
contact the various fitness and recreation centres in your local area to find out what sort of warm water classes are on offer. Ask them about the qualifications of the person/s running the classes.
check out the venue to see if it’s suitable for you. For example, is the pool easy to access? Are the change rooms accessible and comfortable? Is the venue close enough for you to go to regularly? Do the class times and opening hours of the venue work for you?
before choosing a class make sure it’s appropriate to your level of fitness and ability.
you may like to watch a class or two from the sidelines before joining.

Another option is to use the pool facilities and a water exercise program that has been designed for you by a physiotherapist or exercise physiologist and exercise on your own. You could do this instead of, or as well as, joining a class.

There are many different options available so that you can exercise in water and get the associated health benefits.

For more information about water exercise – download this information sheet (PDF).

Pool safety

Once at the pool there are several things you can do to make sure your exercise session is safe:

warm up – a good way to do this is to swim gently or go for a walk through the water. Be guided by your instructor or by the exercise program that’s been designed for you.
if you feel light-headed, sick or dizzy at any stage, get out of the water.
take care when moving in wet areas around the pool, including in change rooms, to avoid slipping and falls.
perform each movement as gracefully and smoothly as you can.
keep the body part you’re exercising under the water. This may require you to squat or bob down at times.

Tai chi

There’s good evidence to support the effectiveness of tai chi for people with arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions. There are many styles of tai chi and most are suitable for people with arthritis.

Tai chi:

can be practiced by people of all ages and fitness levels
promotes correct body posture and balance
is a low impact exercise
can help relieve joint pain and stiffness
integrates the body and mind
uses gentle and circular movements
is relaxing and enjoyable.

You can learn tai chi from books and DVDs, but most people find it easier to learn from a qualified instructor. Books and DVDs are useful to help you practice between classes.

Before starting a tai chi class:

talk with your doctor about whether tai chi is suitable for you
make sure your instructor is qualified and takes special care of people with musculoskeletal conditions.

If you want to give tai chi a go, we can help you find a qualified instructor. Contact our Helpline on 1800 263 265 Monday to Thursday, or email helpline@muscha.org

General exercise cautions and suggestions

Your doctor or exercise professional can give you exercise advice that is specific to you and your particular conditions(s) and situation.

Here are some general suggestions on exercising safely:

see your doctor before starting any new exercise program. If you’ve had a joint replaced, find out from your surgeon or health professional which movements you should limit or avoid.
pre-exercise screening is used to identify people with medical conditions that may put them at a higher risk of a experiencing a health problem during physical activity. It‘s a filter or ‘safety net’ to help decide if the potential benefits of exercise outweigh the risks for you. Check out the Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA) adult pre-exercise screening tool and discuss it with your doctor or exercise professional.
don’t exercise a painful, inflamed or hot joint. Instead,gently move the joint through its range of movement to help reduce stiffness and improve circulation.
start gently and increase the intensity of your exercise program gradually over weeks or months.
warm up thoroughly beforehand. Cool down after exercise with gentle, sustained movements.
pay attention to good technique and try to move smoothly. Don’t force a joint beyond a comfortable range of movement.
don’t try to do too much, or push too hard too soon. If you’re short of breath or in pain, ease back on the intensity of your exercise.
if your joint feels particularly painful afterwards (for longer than two hours after an exercise session), reduce the intensity of your next exercise session.
if an activity causes you pain or increases your pain beyond what’s normal for you, then stop this activity.
drink plenty of fluids during and after exercising.
wear appropriate clothing and footwear when exercising.
increase incidental activity in your lifestyle. For example, walk to nearby shops instead of driving.

Where to get help

Your doctor
Physiotherapist
Exercise physiologist
Community Health Centre
Musculoskeletal Health Australia
Helpline: 1800 263 265

How we can help

Call our Helpline and speak to our team. Phone 1800 263 265 (Monday to Thursday, excluding public holidays) or email helpline@muscha.org

We can help you find out more about:

arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions
ways to live well with these conditions
managing your pain
- read our A-Z guide to managing pain
- watch our excellent videos on pain, your brain and how you can retrain your pain system.
  - Pain, the brain and your amazing protectometer – Lorimer Moseley
  - Treating pain using the brain – David Butler
upcoming webinars, seminars and other events.

More to explore

Australian Physiotherapy Association physiotherapy.asn.au
Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA) essa.org.au
Better Health Channel betterhealth.vic.gov.au

Download this information sheet (PDF).

Translated information

A simplified version of this information has been translated into the following languages:

The whole or part of this material is copyright to the State of Victoria and the Better Health Channel. Reproduced with permission of the Victorian Minister for Health. Users are permitted to print copies for research, study or educational purposes.

Information has been produced in consultation with and approved by: Musculoskeletal Health Australia.