Physical Activity (PA) is one of the most important lifestyle factors influencing human health. The general and disease-specific health benefits of PA are well known to the general population and... Show morePhysical Activity (PA) is one of the most important lifestyle factors influencing human health. The general and disease-specific health benefits of PA are well known to the general population and to those people living with rheumatic musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs). The importance of PA as an intervention for the management of RMDs has been endorsed by various stakeholders, e.g. the World Health Organisation and the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology/EULAR. The early translation of research evidence into clinical care benefits patients with RMDs greatly.This thesis is focused on the effects and promotion of PA and exercise on people with RMDs, and particularly those with axial Spondyloarthritis (axSpA).The overall aim of this thesis was to document the journey from the development of the EULAR PA recommendations for people with RMDs (including axSpA) to the practical implementation of a concept for group exercise therapy for people with axSpA living in Switzerland that conforms to these recommendations. Show less
