EULAR urges movement for arthritis

The European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology said physical activity should be part of standard care for people with inflammatory arthritis and osteoarthritis, not an optional add-on. (ard.eular.org) The guidance is a 2025 update to EULAR’s 2018 recommendations, published online in *Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases* on April 25, 2026. It covers inflammatory arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis and axial spondyloarthritis, as well as osteoarthritis. (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov) (ard.bmj.com) EULAR said patients should be encouraged to follow public-health activity targets, with plans adapted to disease status, symptoms, and personal goals. The recommendations also explicitly include cutting sedentary behavior, not only adding exercise sessions. (ard.eular.org) The update kept the framework of four overarching principles and 10 recommendations from 2018, but revised the evidence base after newer studies on digital tools and education-plus-behavior programs. EULAR said the new literature was one reason the earlier guidance required revision. (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov) (ard.eular.org) In plain terms, the document treats movement like a routine part of arthritis management, alongside medicines and clinical follow-up. It says health professionals should promote aerobic, strength, flexibility, and neuromotor exercise, with tailoring for each patient. (ard.eular.org 1) (ard.eular.org 2) That marks a continuation, not a reversal: EULAR’s 2018 advice already said general physical-activity recommendations apply to these patients. The 2025 update adds evidence published since then and brings the document into line with the World Health Organization’s 2020 guidance on activity and sedentary behavior. (ard.bmj.com) (medicalxpress.com)) The recommendation table shows the strongest evidence grade, 1A, for making physical activity an integral part of standard care throughout the disease course. EULAR also rated agreement with that recommendation at 9.9 out of 10 among the task-force members. (ard.eular.org) The document is aimed at rheumatologists and other professionals, including nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and psychologists. EULAR said implementation depends on clinicians giving advice, identifying barriers, and helping patients build activity into daily life. (ard.eular.org) The message is less “rest the joint” than “move, but tailor it.” EULAR’s update says regular movement and less sitting belong in routine arthritis care from diagnosis through long-term management. (ard.eular.org)