Physical Fitness Associated with Health-related Quality of Life, Study Shows

February 22, 2019

Study results published in the peer-reviewed journal PLOS One showed that elements of physical fitness — muscle strength and particularly cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) – are associated with improved health-related quality of life for people with mild lupus.

Conducted at two university hospitals in Italy, the study looked at 70 women with stable lupus.  Patients with a high level of physical fitness scored higher in standard measurements of health-related quality of life that relate to physical function.  Overall, physical fitness was not associated with mental-related aspects of quality of life.

Study investigators concluded, “Future research is needed to understand the prognostic value of fitness and the extent to which increasing fitness through exercise might be linked to improvements in HRQoL.”

Any exercise program should not be undertaken without consulting with your physician.