Intensive water resistance exercise decreases knee stiffness

Taking part in an intensive aquatic resistance training programme seems to reduce knee stiffness but may not help pain levels in older women with knee osteoarthritis.

A total of 87 women aged 60–68 years with mild knee osteoarthritis were split into groups; 43 women took part in a four-month aquatic training trial (48 sessions altogether) and 44 women maintained their usual level of physical activity. They were followed up for 12 months.

After four months of aquatic resistance training there was a significant decrease in knee stiffness for women in the training group compared to the other group. But this didn’t last – 12 months later the benefit was no longer seen. The message? Keep the regular exercise going to reduce knee stiffness over the long-term.

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