Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies · Apr 30, 2025

Effect of exercise interventions on gait initiation in individuals with knee osteoarthritis: a double-blind, randomized controlled trial

By Signorelli FS, Moreira VMPS, Hattori WT et al.

BACKGROUND: Individuals with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) have changes in anticipatory postural adjustments (APAs) during gait initiation. Exercise programs are strongly indicated for managing knee osteoarthritis, but their effects on anticipatory postural adjustments were not investigated. This study aimed to compare the effects of resistive and aerobic exercises on anticipatory postural adjustments. METHODS: This double-blind, randomized, controlled trial included 64 individuals with knee osteoarthritis who were subjected to eight weeks of intervention. Participants were randomly allocated into the controlled (n = 20), resistive exercise (n = 20), and aerobic exercise (n = 24) groups. The primary outcomes were anticipatory postural adjustments in gait initiation. Secondary outcomes were pain intensity measured by the numerical pain scale, physical function assessed by the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, and the isometric muscle strength test. FINDINGS: Post-intervention, the controlled group showed better physical function, while the resistive group showed less center of pressure posterolateral displacement (p = 0.031). Additionally, resistive and aerobic groups demonstrated less pain intensity, greater muscle strength, and better physical function. IMPLICATIONS: Interventions based on resistance and aerobic exercises are beneficial to control pain intensity, increase muscle strength, and, added to the education program, enhance physical function. However, these interventions cannot change the compensatory patterns of APAs adopted by individuals with KOA, and they could still have a falling risk.

doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2025.04.005PubMed 40483133Interventions