Flexibility can help to prevent hip arthritis

Older ladies who are flexible have a reduced risk of suffering from arthritis later in life, new research finds.

A study, published in the Journal of Rheumatology, found women who are double-jointed or have flexible joints will be less likely to suffer from problems and those who stay supple in their old age are also more likely to avoid getting arthritis.

Tim Spector, professor of rheumatology at St Thomas' Hospital in the UK, which carried out the research, said the findings support advice that exercise and stretching can help leading up to old age.

The research studied 716 women aged 53 to 72, including 79 ladies who had inherent flexibility of joints, known as hypermobility.

When assessing the patients, the study found bone mineral density was three per cent higher in the hips of people with flexibility, compared to the other women.

Spector added: "Our research suggests that both the innate or the exercise route [to flexibility] both seem to help prevent arthritis - so exercise and stretching should be encouraged."

A study released recently found women are more affected by arthritis than their male counterparts, with those over the age of 65 being 2.5 times more likely to have disabilities than men.

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