zumba class

KitMcF

Hello all, I have just on Friday been told I have osteo arthritis in my right ankle (inner/front of foot) and zumba is my fav excercise that i do.

Does anyone have experience of this or know if it is considered low or high impact on the joints? I will be really upset if I can't do it anymore because I love it!

dreamdaisy

What movements are concerned? I guess the simple answer is if it hurts, don't do it. High-impact acitivites include running, jogging, playing sports on hard surfaces, would zumba come under that heading? You do need to be thinking about protecting the joint and not putting strain on your others to compensate for the poorly one. DD

stickywicket

I've just looked at a video. Yeeees, well. It certainly isn't low impact, is it? Why not try it and see how you feel afterwards? Or, ask a physio? Or your GP? It all brought back far distant memories.

CJHunter

Zumba low impact,

My boss did it and couldnt walk properly for a week, she has o/a in ankles and knees .

U decide, but i wouldnt, couldnt do it. :roll:

nanasue

I have RA, OA and fibro and I go to zumba when I feel able to. I love it, but I must say, it is a class for over 50's so not as intense as most classes, if yours isn't perhaps you could find out if there is one available. It helps me to be a bit less stiff/more flexible and I feel fitter. When I wasn't able to go because of a flare up I really noticed the difference when I went back, it was harder, like when I first started. You should give it a try and see how you get on or just go when you can, it's so much fun it would be a shame to miss out.

Sue x

KitMcF

gosh hearing mixed opinions is hard.

I read this earlier.

Zumba is a great low impact fitness activity because it’s fun and easy to modify. A fusion of Latin moves and music in an hour-long class, Zumba is a suitable form of fitness no matter what level of shape you’re in. Because the class is primarily composed of dance moves, you don’t have to worry about putting significant strain on your body. There are sections that contain high impact moves like jumping, but these moves can easily be modified to a small bounce or side steps.

Then I read the above replies and am back at square one. Being on my feet in general is sore - not high level of pain just an ache. I guess im headed back to the GP who i already feel jaded by. Nothing of excercise, physio or outlook was mentioned. Just the 'nothing we can do' line.

KitMcF

I should clairfy I mean low impact on the joints - not energy levels. Most of it is stepping and not running or jumping. I don't know. Confused.

dreamdaisy

I think you could be asking the wrong audience here: many of us have had arthritis for years and have arthritis in multiple joints - I have a feeling that many of us struggle with walking let alone anything else! I did list some other 'keeping fitter' activities that you could try on your other thread, perhaps they are worth considering? Alternatively keep on with the classes if they are what floats your boat but bear in mind that you could be aggravating things - can you adjust your movements in any way? DD

KitMcF

thanks for the reply

I think what I am really asking is will it make the arthritis (right ankle, osteo) worse in anyway?

Most of the moves are not pounding the floor eg stepping to the side, dancing really and dancing is mentioned in one of the publications on the site about excercise. Obs would let the instructor know and not push myself too hard.

I will probably swim/aqua aerobics but zumba is like my passion! i love it so much. Thanks all.

sulkycat

My sister has bad knees (not arthritic, just painful) but loves her zumba.
No way could I do it as walking is a struggle, but I think if you are sensible you should be able to do most of a zumba class. I used to do a lot of dance and completely understand why you wouldn't want to give it up, it's so uplifting.

Make sure your footwear is supportive and not too flexible, maybe strap your ankle up. Check with your instructor, they should know which parts you need to avoid.

I think the general dance, cardio side of it should be fine and just improvise when it's a higher impact section.

dreamdaisy

No-one knows the answer to that question: everyone's arthritis is unique to them, it develops at different speeds and affects people differently. I have OA in both knees and ankles as a result of the other sort of arthritis which I began in '97. It is pretty miserable, I can empathise with that. DD

KitMcF

thanks all you are being so patient

I know it may cause more pain but I mean will I will making the joint deteriorate any faster or doing it damage?

dreamdaisy

Life itself causes joint damage, some are lucky bu**ers and get away with it (like those old people who stride past me as I totter along) others are not so fortunate. Getting out of bed, walking round the house, taking the dog out, driving a car, standing waiting for a bus, doing the shopping, having a shower, walking up and down stairs, everything we do is a strain on the body - and that can also include sleeping or resting. All you can do is decide whether to do the things that add a greater strain to your poorly joint and if you do then wear good, supportive shoes, strap the ankle (although that makes your muscles lazy if done too much) and stop if things become painful. I think a problem here is that you are asking a question to which there is no answer - like the rest of us you will have to find your own limits and work to accommodate them. It's not easy. DD

Wonkylegs

KitMcF wrote:

thanks all you are being so patient

I know it may cause more pain but I mean will I will making the joint deteriorate any faster or doing it damage?

I think maybe that specific question needs to be asked of a health professional as has already been stated. What works for one person would be hell for another person, and we're none of us doctors.

I am hoping to go back to tai chi this year which I found very good as it is easily adapted. However, it does rely on my knowing when enough is enough, and also which moves I personally need to avoid/adapt.

It isn't always easy to stop when we need to when it involves something we enjoy - but listening to your body is essential when exercising with arthritis and to me is just as important as doing the exercise itself.

good luck
WOnky