Year: 2023
Type: editorial
Abstract: Exercise is recommended as a level 1 treatment for people with knee osteoarthritis (OA) by multiple treatment guidelines (Osteoarthritis Research Society International, 1 American College of Rheumatology, 2 EULAR 3 ).The foundation for this recommendation is based on randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and systematic reviews with aerobic exercise as the primary mode of activity.The use of strength training in exercise RCTs is less frequent, perhaps because it presents additional challenges related to appropriate workout equipment, knowledgeable instruction on proper lifting techniques, the risk of musculoskeletal injury, and the fear that strength training will exacerbate OA symptoms.Although the number of nonserious adverse events is higher in strength training groups versus control, serious adverse events are rare, and knee pain is reduced by one-third, similar to an attention control.4 In this issue, Lo et al 5 used data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative 6 to examine the long-term benefits of strength training across the life span.This epidemiologic study identified activities performed by participants for at least 20 minutes within a given day for a minimum of 10 days during four age periods: 12 to 18 years, 19 to 34 years, 35 to 49 years, and ≥50 years.Participants who identified strength training as a top 3 activity during a given age period were asked additional questions, including the times per month they engaged in their top 3 activities.Based on these estimates, participants were classified into low, middle, or high tertiles of strength training participation.The results showed that people in the highest tertile of strength training activity had less prevalence of pain, radiographic OA, and symptomatic OA.The authors concluded that strength training throughout a lifetime improves knee health and recommended that the medical community encourage participation in strength training.Limitations of the study include the lack of an experimental design, recall bias whereby participants classified their present and past exposures to strength training throughout their lifespan, and considering a
Source: Arthritis & Rheumatology
DOI: 10.1002/art.42783
Author: Stephen P. Messier
Institution: Wake Forest University
Language: English
Subfield: Rheumatology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W4389895218