The effects of high-intensity and low-intensity cycle ergometry in older adults with knee osteoarthritis

Background. People with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee experience pain and deconditioning that lead to disability. This study challenged the clinical belief that repetitive lower extremity exercise is not indicated in person s with knee OA. The effects of high-intensity and low-intensity stationary cycling on functional status, gait, overall and acute pain, and aerobic cap acity were examined. Methods. Thirty-nine adults (71 +/- 6.9 years old) with complaints of knee pain and diagnosis of OA were randomized to either a high-intensity (70% he art rate reserve [HRR]) or low-intensity (40% HRR) exercise group for 10 we eks of stationary cycling. Participants cycled for 25 minutes, 3 times per week. Before and after the exercise intervention they completed the Arthrit is Impact Measurement Scale 2 for overall pain assessment, underwent timed chair rise, 6-minute walk test, gait, and graded exercise treadmill tests. Acute pain was reported daily with a visual analog scale and the Western On tario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index scale. Results. Analysis of variance revealed that participants in both groups sig nificantly improved in the timed chair rise, in the 6-minute walk test, in the range of walking speeds, in the amount of overall pain relief and in ae robic capacity. No differences between groups were found. Daily pain report s suggested that cycling did not increase acute pain in either group. Conclusions. Cycling may be considered as an alternative exercise modality for patients with knee OA. Low-intensity cycling was as effective as high-i ntensity cycling in improving function and gait, decreasing pain, and incre asing aerobic capacity.