Strength Training Improves Knee Health in Osteoarthritis Patients

In a recent study conducted within the Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI), researchers have uncovered a surprising relationship between strength training and knee health. This study published in the Arthritis & Rheumatology found that individuals who engage in strength training at any point in their lives experience improved knee health and reduced risk of knee osteoarthritis (OA) and associated symptoms.

This retrospective, cross-sectional analysis, conducted across four OAI clinical sites and included 2,607 participants with comprehensive data on strength training, knee pain, and radiographic evidence of knee OA. The findings challenge the prevailing belief that strength training might have adverse effects on knee joints.

The participants, with an average age of 64.3 years, provided information on their lifetime participation in strength training during four age-specific periods: ages 12-18, 19-34, 35-49, and over 50 years. The study evaluated three key outcomes: radiographic OA (ROA), symptomatic radiographic OA (SOA), and frequent knee pain.

Even after adjusting for various factors, participants who had engaged in strength training at any point in their lives exhibited significantly reduced odds of experiencing frequent knee pain, ROA, and SOA. The fully adjusted odds ratios showed a 17-23% decrease in the likelihood of these conditions among individuals who practiced strength training. These findings held true across all age groups, challenging the misconception that strength training might be detrimental to knee health.

These results not only emphasize the potential benefits of strength training in maintaining healthy knee joints but also underscore the importance of a lifelong commitment to physical fitness. The study's outcomes have far-reaching implications for both individuals and healthcare professionals. Incorporating strength training into exercise routines could be a proactive measure to stave off the development of knee osteoarthritis and its associated symptoms.

This study offers new insights into the role of strength training in knee health and effectively debunks the myth that it might have adverse effects on the joints. Instead, it highlights the protective and potentially preventive benefits of strength training, paving the way for a reevaluation of exercise recommendations for individuals concerned about their knee health. 

Reference:

Lo, G. H., Richard, M. J., McAlindon, T. E., Kriska, A. M., Price, L. L., Rockette‐Wagner, B., Eaton, C. B., Hochberg, M. C., Kwoh, C. K., Nevitt, M. C., & Driban, J. B. (2023). Strength Training Associates with Less Knee Osteoarthritis: Data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative. In Arthritis & Rheumatology. Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/art.42732