Exercise for Gout

Of the risk factors associated with developing gout, obesity is most commonly shared between men and women. The risk for gout is high in both men and women that are overweight, body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratios; typically the problem areas targeted with weight loss exercises. Where gout is concerned however, too little or no exercise is bad but too much may also be equally disastrous. Rapid weight loss by strenuous exercising and crash dieting can alter the body chemistry and trigger production of high amounts of uric acid. Studies on exercises for arthritis patients (gout is a type of arthritis, by the way) show that a cautious, steady approach to exercising and weight loss are the safe way to go.

Words of caution, before starting on any exercise routines, consult your doctor first. It is safe to assume that one cannot, from the sheer pain alone, exercise during an acute gout attack. Once the pain has settled and a long term gout management is in place, the exercise routines below are recommended as safe by experts.

Range of Motion (ROM) Exercises. This type of exercises addresses the stiffness and immobility of joints that tend to develop in gout patients. It is so-called because “range of motion” means the amount of movement for each joint. Each joint has a certain “normal” range of motion that can diminish with tendency of arthritic patients to limit joint movements. In simple terms, these are stretching exercises to specifically move the joints. There are lots of resources online for the different types of ROM exercises or you can ask your doctor for advice for the ones best suited to you.

Strength Training uses resistance to muscular contraction to develop muscle strength. It does not only strengthen the muscles but also the bones, tendons and ligaments. For gout patients, it is typically done with light weight lifting then gradually increased to heavier weights to develop muscle mass. Functional exercises such as walking, cycling and swimming can also be done in conjunction with weight training.

Stretching and Flexibility Exercises. Moderate stretching and flexibility exercises help strengthen the muscles and tendons around affected joints. Popular exercise routines in this category include Yoga, Pilates and Tai-chi.

Exercise for Gout- cardio

For a balanced exercise program that do not only target the joints but also aim at weight loss, experts also recommend cardio exercises. Cardio or aerobics refer to a broad range of exercises that elevate the heart rate to above 50% its maximum. This will also help speed up your metabolism helping your body lower uric acid levels. Aside from being good for the heart and blood circulation, they also make you burn calories and lose that excess weight. Functional exercises mentioned above can become effective cardio exercises by increasing the intensity like turning leisurely walking into brisk walking.

Finally, exercise helps stop the build-up of uric acid but does not get rid of it.  Nevertheless it is an essential component in the long term management of gout and a recommended lifestyle change for any person suffering from gout.