Physical activity helps prevent many chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes and heart disease.

Even though arthritis is often in the knees, new research backs up the theory that exercise also helps symptoms of joint pain and arthritis.

A six-week evidence based physical activity program recommended by the Centers for Disease Control in the U.S. was added to an employee workplace wellness program for Montana state employees.

By the end, it was said to be effective in improving physical activity and arthritis symptoms for the 3000 workers.

Before the program, five per cent of employees reported no physical activity. By the end of the program, 97 per cent of those who reported no regular physical activity were exercising by walking, with 65 per cent walking more than an hour per week.

Those who reported some physical activity at the start of the study all increased the amount of time they were active.

The study also looked at minutes spent walking, other physical activity, stretching, pain, and fatigue.

Those with arthritis had less pain and fatigue. (ABC)