Impact of a daily exercise dose on knee joint cartilage - a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials in healthy animals

Bricca A, et al. · Osteoarthritis and Cartilage

Dose-response is an inverted U: moderate doses had positive effects on cartilage in 12/12 comparisons, while low dose (21/25) and high dose (19/27) comparisons showed no effect or worse cartilage. Supports a 'sweet spot' of loading.

Population

29 animal studies (64 comparisons), healthy animals

Intervention

Low, moderate, or high daily exercise dose

Comparator

Sedentary animals

Limitations

Animal data; loading doses do not translate directly to human exercise prescription.