Impact of exercise on articular cartilage in people at risk of, or with established, knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials

Bricca A, Juhl CB, et al. · British Journal of Sports Medicine

No evidence that exercise harms articular cartilage; most comparisons showed no effect on cartilage morphology, and one trial showed improved GAG content in at-risk participants. Authors conclude knee-loading exercise 'seems to not be harmful for articular cartilage'.

Population

9 RCTs (14 comparisons) in people at risk of or with knee OA

Intervention

Knee-loading exercise programs

Comparator

Non-exercise controls

Limitations

Few, small trials; heterogeneous imaging outcomes; cannot rule out subgroup harm or long-term effects.