A Lower Limb Exercise Programme Increases Activity Profiles In Individuals With Medial Knee Osteoarthritis.

Purpose: Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the leading causes of pain and musculoskeletal disability and represents a typical chronic musculoskeletal condition. A conservative approach is usually the first choice for the management of knee OA, with exercise programmes being an effective treatment with relatively few contraindications and a vast amount of evidence is readily available to support the clinical and functional changes. Whilst exercise has been recommended as a core treatment for knee OA, individuals with knee OA avoid exercise to prevent pain and do not achieve the recommended levels of exercise, despite the positive evidence regarding exercise and knee OA. Walking is the most common exercise employed by older adults with suggestions that 10,000 steps per day being effective in improving health. Individuals with knee OA walk approximately 4,000-6,732 steps per day with fewer than 17% completing the recommended 10,000 steps per day, and fewer than 6% completing the recommended cadence guidelines of 100 steps per minute. Objectively measured data show that individuals with knee OA are more sedentary and complete fewer transitions (sit-to-stand etc.), than individuals without knee OA.