High-intensity resistance training restored lean body mass and physical function in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Question: Can high-intensity progressive resistance training (PRT) restore muscle mass and improve function in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA)? Design: A randomised, controlled trial. Setting: A hospital rheumatology department in the UK. Participants: Men and women > 18 years, fulfilling the American College of Rheumatology 1987 revised criteria for the diagnosis of RA with mild to moderate disability (functional class I and II) and on stable medication. Randomisation of 36 participants allocated 18 to the PRT group and 18 to the control group. Interventions: The PRT program was designed according to the American College of Sports Medicine recommendations, and consisted of 3 sets of 8 repetitions with a load corresponding to 80% of the 1-repetition maximum with 1–2 minutes of rest between the sets. The exercises (leg press, chest press, leg extension, seated rowing, leg curl, triceps extension, standing calf raises, and bicep curl) were performed twice a week for 24 weeks on a multi-stack machine in a community gym. The control group sessions included 10 minutes of low-intensity High-intensity resistance training restored lean body mass and physical function in patients with rheumatoid arthritis