Question

Monique is a 79-year-old patient who enjoys being active. Recently, however, her arthritis is getting worse, and she has been having more trouble moving around lately. She tells you that she wants to exercise and stay active, but she is not sure what kinds of exercise she can do now. Which of the following recommendations might you make?

a) Low-impact exercises such as swimming or water aerobics
b) High-intensity interval training (HIIT)
c) Heavy weightlifting
d) Marathon running

Answer 1

Monique should focus on low-impact exercises like swimming and water aerobics, which are suitable for managing arthritis pain while keeping active.

Step-by-step explanation:

Given Monique's age and worsening arthritis, the best exercises for her would be low-impact exercises that reduce joint stress and help maintain joint mobility and muscle strength. Such activities are beneficial for those with osteoarthritis (OA), providing pain relief and improved functionality without exacerbating joint pain.

Recommended Exercises for Monique

• Swimming: A fantastic low-impact exercise that helps keep the muscles strong without placing undue stress on the joints.
• Water aerobics: Similar to swimming, water aerobics provide resistance for muscle strengthening with minimal impact on joints.

High-intensity interval training (HIIT), heavy weightlifting, and marathon running are not advisable for Monique since higher impact activities may aggravate her arthritis and increase joint pain.