Even a quite modest amount of exercise might be better than none at all when it comes to preventing disability from arthritis, new research suggests. In a study that followed more than 3,500 U.S. adults with arthritis, researchers found that those who were getting some regular physical activity at the study's start were less likely than their sedentary peers to develop worsening problems with walking, climbing stairs and other daily activities. What's more, exercisers were more likely than inactive adults to show improvements in any mobility problems they had at the outset. The findings are published in the journal Arthritis & Rheumatism. The study included 3,554 adults ages 53 to 63 who had osteoarthritis, the wear-and-tear form of arthritis in which the cartilage cushioning the joints breaks down over time, leading to pain, stiffness and, often, limited mobility. Among older Americans, osteoarthritis is one of the major causes of functional decline -- problems with daily activities like walking short distances, bathing and preparing meals. --More 18 03 Local Time 15 03 GMT
