Why does exercise help prevent osteoarthritis?

A study undertaken at the Queen of Mary University of London showed for the first time how exercise helps prevent the wear of cartilage in joints.

The mechanical forces on the cartilage during exercise causes changes to tiny hair like structures call the primary cilia.

These cells have the primary activity of suppressing the action of inflammatory molecules, which play a part in causing pain in the knee.

So when we exercise, these mechanical forces activation on a particular protein called  HDAC6, which triggers the changes in the protein that form primary cilia.

So it is important to keep active if you have osteoarthritis to help prevent pain and disability.

Programs such as GLAD, and evidenced based exercise approach to knee and hip osteoarthitis has been shown to to reduce pain and disability.

At Fitness Physio in Merewether, we can help guide you through the steps needed to get moving if you have osteoarthritis.