Are there specific recreational activities or exercises you recommend patients with ankylosing spondylitis avoid?

The answer to this question depends on the severity of ankylosing spondylitis in the individual patient. The disease can manifest as sacroiliitis alone or total ankylosis from the sacrum to the cervical spine. The recommendations are different for those with limited disease versus extensive involvement.

In general, recreational activities or exercises that are RECOMMENDED are those that concentrate on range of motion, core strength, and maximizing pulmonary capacity. For example, yoga encompasses exercises that encourage range of movement, muscle strength, and controlled breathing. Racquet sports can foster stretching to an individual's capability, strengthening, and increased thoracic movement. Swimming would be another example.

Those acti...