Dynamic exercise therapy as defined by the American College of Sports Medicine for healthy individuals is of unclear relevance to patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). No recommendations on this issue are available. Few studies have evaluated the optimal program, frequency, or target population; furthermore, there is no consensus about the best assessment tools for monitoring clinical, functional, and structural parameters during dynamic exercise therapy in patients with RA.

We conducted an extensive review of the literature published between 1964 and 2005. We identified nine randomized controlled studies that provided a high level of proof regarding the effects of dynamic exercise therapy in RA patients older than 18 years of age.

Dynamic exercise programs improve aerobic capacity and muscle strength in patients with RA. Their effects on functional capacity are unclear, and many sources of bias influenced the study results. The clinical and laboratory safety profiles were good. The structural impact of dynamic exercise remains to be determined.