21/04/2026

Dr Montserrat Romera: ‘Promoting exercise based on scientific evidence is essential in the management of rheumatic diseases’

Dr Montserrat Romera, a rheumatologist and lecturer in the Department of Medicine at Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC Barcelona), is involved in the Reumafit project, an initiative promoted by the Spanish Society of Rheumatology. The project aims to encourage physical exercise as a key tool in the prevention and treatment of rheumatic diseases.

As Dr Romera explains, “the Reumafit project was launched in 2020 in response to the growing body of scientific evidence demonstrating the benefits of physical exercise for people with rheumatic conditions”. Initially focused on conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, axial spondyloarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, fibromyalgia and osteoporosis, Reumafit has gradually expanded its content to include systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs), as well as specific recommendations tailored to each patient.

In this regard, Dr Romera emphasises that “physical exercise is a fundamental tool in both the prevention and treatment of rheumatic diseases and must be adapted to the characteristics and needs of each patient”. She also highlights the importance of tailoring recommendations to each condition and to each individual’s personal circumstances, to help make it easier to incorporate these habits into daily life.

The project also addresses issues such as lower back pain, obesity, the importance of walking and the prevention of sarcopenia. Among its objectives are improving knowledge about physical exercise, disseminating its benefits and providing clear guidance on how to practise it safely.

Educational materials have therefore been developed as part of the project in the form of infographics and videos, using a practical approach and clear, accessible language. These resources are available to both patients and healthcare professionals on the Reumafit platform.

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