Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common rheumatic disease of childhood, presenting clinically as inflammatory arthritis in children younger than 16 years. To date, while evidence supports physical activity for children with JIA, there is limited evidence on the recommended approach to physical activity and sports participation in this population, and no single structured therapeutic exercise program has been established as best practice. This review article presents what is known on the management of physical activity in children with JIA, including recommendations from the pediatric rheumatology and rehabilitation literature, where available, for sports participation, structured therapeutic exercise programs, and return to activity.
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