High-Intensity Training for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disease worldwide. Exercise therapy has been identified as a first-line treatment option in patients suffering from knee OA. High-intensity training (HIT) is an innovative exercise modality with potential in improving various disease-related outcomes. The purpose of this review is to explore the impact of HIT on knee OA symptoms and physical functioning. A comprehensive search of scientific electronic databases was conducted to identify articles on the effects of HIT on knee OA. Thirteen studies were included in this review. Ten compared the effects of HIT with those of low-intensity training, moderate-intensity continuous training, or a control group. Three evaluated the effects of HIT alone. Eight reported a decrease in knee OA symptoms (especially pain), and eight reported an increase in physical functioning. HIT was shown to improve knee OA symptoms and physical functioning, but also aerobic capacity, muscle strength, and quality of life with minimal or no adverse events. However, compared with other exercise modalities, no clear superiority of HIT was found. HIT is a promising exercise strategy in patients with knee OA; nonetheless, the actual quality of evidence remains very low, and more high-quality studies are needed to confirm these promising outcomes.

What improvements do general exercise training and traditional Chinese exercises have on knee osteoarthritis? A narrative review based on biological mechanisms and clinical efficacy

“…Research has demonstrated that balance training can significantly improve patients’ balance ability and functional status, but its impact on muscle strength is not clearly evident due to limited studies ( 78 ). High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is considered a potentially beneficial exercise modality for improving symptoms and physical function in patients with KOA, including pain relief and functional enhancement ( 79 ). However, the superiority of HIIT compared to other exercise modalities still lacks clear evidence.…”

A Cross-Sectional Study of Factors Predicting the Duration of the Efficacy of Viscosupplementation in Knee Osteoarthritis

“…Concerning the practice of "extreme" sports such as very long-distance running (only one patient practised endurance trail running in our population), which is very popular at the moment and is likely to be common practice among patients with OA in a few years' time, it is advisable to be cautious, and a specific case-control study could be useful given the limited number of people with OA currently practising these sports. However, clinical trials aimed at assessing the benefits of high-intensity training (HIT) have shown that HIT improves not only knee OA symptoms and physical functioning but also aerobic capacity, muscle strength, and quality of life with minimal or no adverse events [29].…”