Brief summary, from the abstract
In this randomized trial of adults with knee osteoarthritis, high-intensity strength training did not reduce knee pain or knee joint compressive forces at 18 months any more than low-intensity training or an attention control did.
- Blinded randomized trial of 377 community-dwelling adults aged 50 and older with knee pain and radiographic osteoarthritis, split across high-intensity training (n=127), low-intensity training (n=126), and attention control (n=124).
- At 18 months, adjusted WOMAC pain scores (0-20 scale) showed no significant difference: high-intensity vs control (5.1 vs 4.9; P=.61) and high-intensity vs low-intensity (5.1 vs 4.4; P=.08).
- Knee joint compressive forces during walking also did not differ significantly between groups (P=.61 and P=.85).
- A well-designed, adequately sized trial, but it tested a specific high-intensity protocol against comparators that also involved structured activity, so it does not rule out benefit from exercise in general.
Clinically assessing this area? See the knee special tests.