Study Identifies Aerobic Exercise As The Most Effective Physical Activity For Knee Osteoarthritis

Key Points:

• A comprehensive review of 217 clinical trials involving over 15,000 people with knee osteoarthritis found aerobic exercise to be the most effective in reducing pain and improving function compared to other exercise types like strength training or mind-body exercises.
• Aerobic activities such as walking, cycling, and swimming significantly improved knee pain, physical function, walking ability, and quality of life in both short and mid-term assessments.
• The study highlights that aerobic exercise benefits knee osteoarthritis by enhancing blood circulation, joint lubrication, muscle strength, balance, and coordination, while being gentle enough to avoid worsening joint pain.
• Exercise is generally safe for people with knee osteoarthritis, with aerobic exercise recommended as a first-line, non-drug treatment performed 3-5 times per week for 30-45 minutes at a comfortable intensity.
• Experts suggest starting with low-impact aerobic activities like walking on flat surfaces, cycling, or swimming, but advise consulting a healthcare professional for personalized guidance.