Improved Function and Reduced Pain after Swimming and Cycling Training in Patients with Osteoarthritis

Alkatan M, et al. · The Journal of Rheumatology

Both swimming and cycling significantly reduced joint pain, stiffness and physical limitation, with 15-30% gains in knee-extensor strength; no difference between modes. Either low-impact mode works; pick the one you'll keep doing.

Population

48 sedentary middle-aged/older adults with osteoarthritis

Intervention

12 weeks supervised swimming, 45 min 3x/week at 60-70% HRR

Comparator

Matched cycling program

Limitations

Small, no non-exercise control arm, short duration, mixed OA sites.