Functional Fitness

Although not included as one of the primary components of a fitness program, functional fitness may actually be the force driving your decision to start a fitness program. A person s underlying strength, endurance, and flexibility determine his ability to do typical household chores or work-related activities. Studies show that arthritis affects these underlying components as well as a person's ability to perform daily functions.

As you proceed with your program, you should notice an improved ability to complete everyday tasks. In fact, you may even have set goals specifically related to a task you were struggling with. Sometimes it is useful not only to have a traditional exercise-training program, but also to include specific functional activities within the program. For example, the patient who had lost her shoulder range of motion could not brush her own hair. As part of her home program, she practiced reaching toward her head while holding a brush. She had to work on this reach several times a day, while looking in the mirror. This exercise enabled her to see progress in her ability to carry out a daily function and complemented the rest of her rehabilitation program.