Effects of Strength Training on Knee Osteoarthritis

Effects of Strength Training on Knee Osteoarthritis (OA)

To understand the effects of leg strengthening exercise, we will study the effects of strength training of the legs in four groups of people: (1) osteoarthritis (OA) with knee pain; (2) OA without knee pain; (3) no OA but elderly with knee pain; and (4) normal elderly with no OA or knee pain. In each of the first three groups, we will look at whether people who do strength training have less pain and/or slower progression of x-ray signs of OA over 30 months than people who perform nonstrengthening, range-of-motion exercises. We are including the fourth group to find out whether people with OA (groups 1 & 2) have the same response to strength training as healthy elderly people, and whether those with knee pain (groups 1 & 3) have the same response to training as those without joint pain.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Osteoarthritis, Knee
• Intervention / Treatment: Procedure: Progressive resistance exercise

Detailed Description

Several studies have confirmed that weak leg muscles are associated with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. Studies of body composition in these people have also shown that, despite being weaker, people with OA have significantly greater muscle mass than those without OA, suggesting that those with OA may have the potential to greatly increase their strength. However, research has not clearly shown whether exercises designed to improve leg strength will decrease the severity of pain or slow the progression of OA based on radiographic (x-ray) analysis. To understand the effects of leg strengthening exercise, we will perform a randomized clinical trial of lower extremity strength training using four subgroups of people: (1) OA with knee pain; (2) OA without knee pain; (3) no OA with knee pain; and (4) normal elderly with no OA or knee pain.

In each of the first three groups, we will determine whether people assigned to strength training have lower pain scores and/or slower progression of radiographic changes of OA over 30 months than controls who perform nonstrengthening exercises (i.e., range-of-motion exercises). We are including the fourth group to determine whether those with OA (groups 1 & 2) exhibit the same response to strength training as healthy elderly people, and whether those with knee pain (groups 1 & 3) have the same response to training as those without joint pain. We will also prospectively monitor changes in body composition and bone mass, quality of life, and symptoms of depression.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 280
• Phase: Phase 2

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • Indiana
    • Indianapolis, Indiana, United States, 46202
      • National Institute for Fitness and Sport

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 60 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Males and females 60 to 100 years of age

Exclusion Criteria:

• Knee joint replacement surgery
• Diabetes mellitus
• Uncontrollable hypertension
• Neuropathies of the lower extremity
• Poor mental cognition (i.e., inability to follow instructions)

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
• Masking: Single

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Indiana University
• Collaborators: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Alan Mikesky, PhD, Indiana University School of Medicine

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Mikesky AE, Mazzuca SA, Brandt KD, Perkins SM, Damush T, Lane KA. Effects of strength training on the incidence and progression of knee osteoarthritis. Arthritis Rheum. 2006 Oct 15;55(5):690-9. doi: 10.1002/art.22245.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: September 1, 1977
• Primary Completion (Actual): November 1, 2006
• Study Completion (Actual): November 1, 2006

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: November 3, 1999
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 3, 1999
• First Posted (Estimate): November 4, 1999

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimate): April 30, 2013
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 29, 2013
• Last Verified: April 1, 2013

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Depression; Exercise; Knee; Body composition; Physical therapy; Strength training; Osteoarthritis (OA); Radiographic OA; Striated muscle; Radiographic OA with knee pain; Radiographic OA without knee pain; Knee pain without radiographic OA; Normal elderly (no radiographic OA, no knee pain)
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Joint Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Rheumatic Diseases; Arthritis; Osteoarthritis; Osteoarthritis, Knee
• Other Study ID Numbers: P60 AR20582 Substudy EEHSR3; P60AR020582 (NIH); NIAMS-022