Strength training may help reduce pain and improve physical function. As people with arthritis perform isometric exercises and improve their strength, they may progress to other types of strength training. Arthritis could be aggravated by using muscles to move a joint through the full range of motion. Isometric training may also be helpful to someone who has arthritis. This can help maintain shoulder strength during recovery. For example, they may suggest exercises that involve the group of muscles that helps stabilize the shoulder. For instance, if you injure the rotator cuff, a health care provider or physical therapist might recommend doing isometric exercises. Isometric exercises may be helpful to someone who has an injury, which could make movement painful. These exercises can help because muscles often tighten without movement to help stabilize joints and your core. Isometric exercises can be useful, however, in enhancing stabilization - keeping the affected area's position. Since isometric exercises are done in a still (static) position, they won't help improve speed or athletic performance.
You'd have to do many isometric exercises through your limb's whole range of motion to improve muscle strength across the range. Because isometric exercises are done in one position without movement, they'll improve strength in only one specific position.
