Running with rheumatoid arthritis: a qualitative study of Australian rheumatologists' perceptions and recommendations

To explore how Australian rheumatologists perceive and recommend running for individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), including their clinical experiences, observations and personal views.

Qualitative exploratory study using semistructured interviews. Interviews were conducted via Microsoft Teams, transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically using NVivo software.

Australia; interviews were conducted remotely via Microsoft Teams with participants joining from either clinical or home environments.

13 practising Australian rheumatologists recruited through purposive and snowball sampling.

Five themes were identified from thematic analysis: (1) perceived benefits of running, (2) risks and clinical cautions, (3) criteria required for discussing running, (4) barriers to running and (5) facilitators to running. Participants acknowledged various benefits of running for individuals with RA, such as improved mental health, lifestyle changes and support for joint health. Concerns included risks of running during active disease phases and overly rapid progression of training loads. Key criteria for recommending running included good disease control, the patient's running history and personal goals. Barriers included patient concerns around joint harm, lack of guidelines and socioeconomic challenges. Facilitators included stable disease, symptom-guided pacing, gradual load increases, allied health referral and appropriate footwear.

Rheumatologists acknowledged both the potential benefits and risks of running for people with RA. Individualised recommendations based on disease status and patient preferences could enhance the integration of running into care plans. Further research is needed to develop specific guidelines and understand patient outcomes.