Osteoarthritis Exercise Interventions for a Younger Adult
                    Population—A Narrative Review

Fearghal P Behan; Thomas Oswald; Oliver O'Sullivan

doi:10.1055/a-2627-3277

International Journal of Sports Medicine, Table of Contents

Int J Sports Med
DOI: 10.1055/a-2627-3277

Review

Osteoarthritis Exercise Interventions for a Younger Adult Population—A Narrative Review

Authors

Fearghal P Behan

¹Disciple of Physiotherapy, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland (Ringgold ID: RIN8809)
Thomas Oswald

²School of Medicine, University of Nottingham Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Nottingham, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (Ringgold ID: RIN12207)
Oliver O'Sullivan

³Academic Department of Military Rehabilitation, Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre, Loughborough, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (Ringgold ID: RIN159061)

⁴Academic Unit of Injury, Recovery and Inflammation Sciences, University of Nottingham Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Nottingham, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (Ringgold ID: RIN12207)

Abstract

Osteoarthritis (OA) is considered to be a condition attributable to ageing; however, symptoms can start under 45 years old in one-fifth of patients. Exercise therapy is recommended as first-line treatment in all OA guidance; however, uncertainty remains regarding optimal exercise programmes (including strength, aerobic or mind–body interventions) as different populations might respond better to one intervention than another. This review aims to understand the evidence surrounding exercise interventions for OA in younger adults (18–50 years old). An umbrella review methodology was adopted. Individual studies included in 50 systematic reviews (±meta-analyses) published in the last decade were reviewed and those involving participants aged 18–50 were selected. Five papers, from a potential 1046, involved appropriate participants and underwent full-text review. Two were excluded due to pathology and language; therefore, three studies with 265 participants were included. Exercise interventions included strength-based, neuromuscular control and aerobic and were delivered under supervision or via sensor or virtual reality technology. Interventions improved pain, functional, cartilage composition and inflammatory outcomes measures; however, study heterogeneity prevented direct comparison and meta-analysis. There is a clear bias in the literature for an older population, with research and clinical interventions required for a younger adult population with, or at risk of, OA.

Keywords

Osteoarthritis - Exercise - Young adults - Review

Full Text

References

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