Studies published in the August 15, 2007 issue of the journal, Arthritis & Rheumatism, showed that juveniles with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) have a lower exercise capacity and are sometimes not able to exercise as vigorously.

Sometimes Juvenile Ankylosing Spondylitis (JAS) can look like JIA, although JIA is often associated with a positive antinuclear antibody test, and rarely involves enthesitis - inflammation of the site where a ligament or tendon attaches to bone. However, exercise is a necessary aspect of treating both forms of arthritis.

A child with JAS must strive to maintain range of motion in affected joints and strengthen weakened muscles in the back, abdomen and limbs. Stretching, posture and regular daily exercise can help achieve this.

It is also important to know how much exercise to do and not overdo it. When the disease is more active, one should keep doing the range of motion exercises and continue walking, but decrease strengthening exercises and other strenuous recreational activity.

As the JIA studies found, children who exercised regularly tended to have less disease activity overall and had better functional scores. Much the same has been seen with AS.

References:

Arthritis Rheum 2007;57:887-912
Childhood Onset Spondyloarthritis, Spondylitis Association Of America
The Role Of Exercise In Spondyloarthritis, Spondylitis Association Of America

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