Effects of Aerobic Training in Patients With Ankylosing Spondylitis

This is a randomized controlled trial with blinded assessor on the effects of aerobic exercise (walking)in patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis.

Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is a systemic inflammatory disease that affects mainly the spine and compromises globally the physical capacity of the patients. Despite new advances in pharmacological therapy, physiotherapy and exercise remain essential in the treatment of AS. However, the literature lacks studies showing which types of exercises are more effective in patients with AS.

This is a randomized controlled trial with the objective is to evaluate the effects of aerobic training on functional capacity, mobility, disease activity, cardiopulmonary capacity and cytokine levels (TNF, IL10, IL6 and IL1) in patients with AS.

The duration of the trial is 24 weeks with the first 12 weeks reserved to exercise programs. The participants will be divided in two groups. The intervention group (IG) will perform walking for 50 minutes plus global stretching 3 times a week for 12 weeks. The control group (CG) will do only stretching exercises 3 times a week for 12 weeks.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosis of Ankylosing Spondylitis according to New York modified criteria.

  • Stable drug treatment for at least 3 months
  • Sedentary for at least 3 months before randomization
  • Steinbrocker class I/II

Exclusion Criteria:

• Uncontrolled Systemic Arterial Hypertension and Diabetes mellitus.

  • Ischemic heart disease
  • Clinically significant diseases
  • Orthopedic surgery, such as hip arthroplasty, in the last year.
  • Inability to walk.