Physical activity for osteoarthritis: Efficiency and review of recommandations

Physical activity is defined as movement of the body resulting from muscle contraction and inducing energy expenditure. It can be adapted to a person's health status and have the objective of maintaining or improving health status. The link between sedentary lifestyle and the severity of symptoms in osteoarthritis is now well established, making adapted physical activity (APA) a first-line targeted treatment in osteoarthritis, in order to fight against the effects of a sedentary lifestyle, regardless of the phenotype or stage of the disease. The latest recommendations from EULAR, ACR and OARSI consider APA, in the form of structured exercise programmes for muscle strengthening, joint mobility, proprioception and aerobic exercises, as the core treatment for people with osteoarthritis. The benefits of APA in reducing pain and activity limitations in the short, mid and long terms in osteoarthritis, especially of the lower limbs, has been demonstrated in high-level clinical trials and meta-analyses, with effect sizes comparable to those observed with pharmacological treatments. In clinical practice, the prescription of APA in people with osteoarthritis should be encouraged further. Particular attention should also be paid to patients' adherence in the long term.