Osteoarthritis

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Is resistance training related to the risk of arthritis among adults over 50?
Eloy Quesada
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HSA 4700 Literature Review

Arthritis is very common and yet it is not well understood. Arthritis is not a single disease, but instead is an informal way of referring to more than 100 different types of joint pain and/or related conditions (“What is Osteoarthritis?”). Sometimes called degenerative joint disease or degenerative arthritis, osteoarthritis is the most common chronic condition of the joints, affecting approximately 27 million Americans (“What is Osteoarthritis?”). For a long time osteoarthritis was believed to be caused by the “wear and tear” of joints over time, however, scientists now view it to be a disease of the joint (“What …show more content…

Being overweight puts additional pressure on joints in the hips and knees. Years of carrying these extra pounds can increase the rate at which the cartilage in the joint breaks down (“What is Osteoarthritis?”). Research has shown there is a link between being overweight and having an increased risk of osteoarthritis in the hands (“What is Osteoarthritis?”). These studies also suggest that excess fat tissue produces inflammatory chemicals, known as cytokines, which consequently can damage the joints (“What is Osteoarthritis?”). Ageing of the population and increased global prevalence of obesity are anticipated to dramatically increase the prevalence of osteoarthritis and other impairments associated with it (Olagbegi et al., …show more content…

Repetitive movements or injuries to joints (such as a fractures, surgery or ligament tears) can lead to the disease (“What is Osteoarthritis?”). For example some athletes, repeatedly damage joints, tendons and ligaments, which can speed up the breakdown of cartilage (“What is Osteoarthritis?”). Certain careers that require standing for long periods of time, repetitive bending, heavy lifting or other movements can also make cartilage wear away more quickly (“What is Osteoarthritis?”). Another factor that has been shown to alter the rate of cartilage breakdown is an imbalance or weakness of the muscles supporting a joint (“What is

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