Both aerobic walking and quadriceps strengthening exercises are equally effective at reducing pain and disability associated with Osteoarthritis of the knee, according to UK researchers.

Guidelines for the management of knee Osteoarthritis emphasize the central role of exercise but few data are available on the relative value of aerobic exercise and strengthening exercises.

To investigate, Dr. Edward Roddy and colleagues from Nottingham City Hospital reviewed existing studies that compared aerobic walking or quadriceps strengthening with non-exercise control treatments. Of the 35 trials identified, 13 met inclusion criteria and had data suitable for analysis.

As mentioned, both forms of exercise proved effective at curbing pain and disability. “No advantage of one form of exercise over the other was found on indirect comparison of pooled data,” the team writes in the April issue of Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.

Although no clear winner emerged between the two interventions, it is important to note that both are effective treatments for knee osteoarthritis, the authors emphasize.

“Adherence is a major predictor of response to exercise,” they add, “and offering patients the choice between two effective interventions has the potential to improve adherence and hence outcome.”

Nevertheless, they say further direct comparisons are needed to determine the relative merits of aerobic and strengthening exercises.

SOURCE: Annals of Rheumatic Disease April 2005.