Authors – Kim L. Bennell, Rana S. Hinman
Summary – Exercise is a key component of the management of osteoarthritis (OA) symptoms and has been shown to be beneficial for individuals with OA disease of all severities. Exercise practitioners play an important role in prescribing appropriate exercise for patients taking into account individual symptoms, problems and preferences. Encouraging exercise adherence behaviours and reinforcing healthy lifestyle habits will assist in optimizing outcomes from treatment. Furthermore, exercise programs should be combined with education and behavioural strategies to promote positive lifestyle change and increase overall physical activity levels. The benefits of exercise are additive when delivered with other interventions such as weight loss particularly given the high prevalence of overweight individuals with knee OA.
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