EULAR updates activity advice for arthritis
- European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology researchers published a 2025 update on physical activity for inflammatory arthritis and osteoarthritis in *Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases*. - The update sets out four overarching principles and 11 recommendations, adding stronger advice on reducing sedentary behavior alongside regular aerobic and strengthening activity. - It replaces EULAR’s 2018 advice after WHO’s 2020 movement guidance and newer intervention studies reshaped care. (ard.eular.org)
Arthritis care is getting a broader movement prescription: the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology has updated its physical-activity advice for inflammatory arthritis and osteoarthritis. (ard.eular.org) The update was published online April 25, 2026, in *Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases* as the “2025 update,” led by Anne-Kathrin Rausch Osthoff of Zurich University of Applied Sciences and a multinational task force. (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov) The document revises EULAR’s 2018 recommendations after newer studies on digital tools, education, behavior-change strategies, and sedentary behavior were added to the evidence base. (ard.eular.org) (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov) Physical activity means planned or everyday movement that raises energy use, while sedentary behavior means long stretches of sitting or reclining with very low effort. The new advice treats both as separate targets in care. (ard.eular.org) (medicalxpress.com) The recommendations say regular activity and less sitting should be part of standard care, not an optional add-on after drugs, injections, or surgery. They also say plans should be tailored to disease status, symptoms, and the patient’s setting. (ard.eular.org) EULAR says the update includes four overarching principles and 11 recommendations for people with inflammatory arthritis or osteoarthritis. The target group includes conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloarthritis, and hip or knee osteoarthritis. (medicalxpress.com) (ard.eular.org) The backdrop is the World Health Organization’s 2020 guidance, which told adults to aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate activity a week, or 75 minutes of vigorous activity, and to cut sedentary time. EULAR says its arthritis guidance now aligns with that broader framework. (who.int) (medicalxpress.com) The paper also reflects a practical problem: people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases are often less active than people without them, even though movement can improve function, quality of life, and disease outcomes. (ard.eular.org) (medicalxpress.com) EULAR is positioning movement counseling as routine rheumatology care, with less emphasis on blanket exercise prescriptions and more on matching activity to pain, mobility, and daily life. (ard.eular.org)
