Gymtail – Exercises for Breaks During the Work Day for People with Rheumatoid Arthritis

This Bachelor’s thesis is a functional thesis that is based on literature and research. The aim of the thesis was to maintain working ability, increase daily physical activity and improve joint mobility through break exercising among people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. The objective of the thesis was to gather a package of break exercises done with Gymtail for the Finnish Rheumatism Association. The exercise package is published in the Reuma magazine and is utilized on Keltaisen nauhanpäivä. Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common disease from the spectrum of rheumatoid diseases. It is an inflammatory joint disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue; the joints and tissue surrounding them. Decreased working ability is a common issue among rheumatoid arthritis patients. Working disability is the result of the disease in the long term. Patients develop a high risk of work disability from the very beginning of rheumatoid arthritis symptoms of swelling, pain and stiffness of joints. The final product of this thesis is the leaflet of Gymtail exercises that are designed specifically for working age people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. This thesis has been done in collaboration with Finnish Rheumatism Association, for which purposes the exercise leaflet is created for. Gymtail is relatively new exercise tool having features both of resistance band and exercise stick. It is light in weight, small, simple and safe, making it suitable for rheumatoid arthritis patients and for breaks during workdays. Taking breaks for exercising during the workday is an important factor in maintaining working ability and functioning among working age people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis