Both Low- and High-Intensity Exercise Helpful for Knee Osteoarthritis
It’s well documented that exercise can help improve function and reduce pain in people with knee osteoarthritis, but the optimal amount of exercise is less well known. A study published in Annals of Internal Medicine (January 2023) compared a high-intensity and a low-intensity exercise program among 189 people with knee osteoarthritis. Both groups performed exercises three times a week under the supervision of a physical therapist. In the high-intensity group, participants performed 11 exercises for a total of 70 to 90 minutes. The low-intensity group members did five exercises for 20 to 30 minutes. After 12 weeks, both groups improved, and there were no additional benefits with high-intensity exercise, with one exception. High-intensity was better than low-intensity exercise six to 12 months after the intervention for people engaging in sports and other recreational physical activities.
