Encourage maintenance of some general movement through the duration of the flare. Then, as the flare subsides, exercise can ramp back up as tolerated.
Look at HIIT as a medicine, and be specific when prescribing by noting the FITT variables of frequency, intensity, time and type. As treatment continues, evaluate and moderate intensive training for long-term outcomes.
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“One caveat to keep in mind when deciding on HIIT for your patients is that long term benefits are unknown,” said Dr. Huffman. “Short-term benefits show its potential as an initial strategy to improve fitness, immune function and exercise self-efficacy.”
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References
- Bartlett DB, Willis LH, Slentz CA, et. al. Ten weeks of high-intensity interval walk training is associated with reduced disease activity and improved innate immune function in older adults with rheumatoid arthritis: A pilot. Arthritis Res Ther. 2018 June 14;20(1):127.
- Andonian BJ, Ross LM, Sudnick AM. Effect of remotely supervised weight loss and exercise training versus lifestyle counseling on cardiovascular risk and clinical outcomes in older adults with rheumatoid arthritis: A randomized controlled trial. ACR Open Rheumatol. 2024 Mar; 6(13):124–136.
- Thomsen RS, Nilsen TL, Haugeberg G, et al. Impact of high-intensity interval training on disease activity and disease in patients with psoriatic arthritis: A randomized controlled trial. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2019 April;71(4)530–537.
- Norden KR, Semb AG, Dagfinrud H, et. al. Effect of high-intensity interval training in physiotherapy primary care for patients with inflammatory arthritis: The ExeHeart randomized controlled trial. RMD Open. 2024 Jan 18;10(1);e003440.



