Researchers in Norway suggest that rigorous workouts may help relieve arthritic pain and inflammation.

There's new evidence to suggest that exercise can be good even for people living with severe pain. A small pilot study by Norwegian researchers implies that high-intensity workouts may lessen the pain and inflammation caused by arthritis.

The study, performed by the Norwegian University of Science and Technology and published in the European Journal of Applied Physiology, had 18 women ages 20 to 49 took a bike spinning class twice a week for 10 weeks. Each exercise session included a 10-minute warm-up with the cyclists reaching 70 percent of their maximum pulse rate followed by four minutes of faster cycling at 85 to 95 percent of their maximum. Patient oxygen intake, body mass, and blood pressure were measured before and after each 35-minute workout session.

Study results

Researchers found that not only did the study's participants slightly lose weight and body fat, but also their oxygen intake levels and blood pressure improved while arthritic inflammation decreased.

"We saw a tendency for there to be less inflammation, at least as measured by the inflammation marker CRP," said Anja Bye, a researcher at the university. "And the participants of the study experienced a solid increase in maximum oxygen intake, meaning that they reduced their risk of cardiovascular disease."

With certain types of arthritis possibly increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease, Bye and her fellow researchers were keenly interested in seeing what might happen to a patient's arthritic symptoms if she were given a rigorous cardio workout to complete.

While this is one of the first tests of its kind to see how strenuous exercise affects those living with arthritis, previous studies also suggested that patients with the chronic disease benefit from moderate workouts.

According to Bye, those moderate-regimen studies saw participants improve their health through exercise without feeling any effects of arthritic pain or inflammation or causing damage to their joints.

Still spinning

It's too early to tell, however, if those living with arthritis should add a regular high-intensity workout to their routines. This small study is really just a test to see if doctors should conduct a larger one. However, Bye added that some of the women in her study are continuing with spinning classes.

According to the Mayo Clinic, women are much more likely to develop certain kinds of arthritis than men, especially rheumatoid arthritis, even though doctors still don't know what causes that illness.

For more on arthritis and exercise:

Safety Tips for Exercising with Arthritis
Exercise Programs May Help with Arthritis
Strengthen Your Hands with These Exercises