Adherence to Exercise Training and Physical Function in Older Adults Diagnosed with Knee Osteoarthritis

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) provokes pain, muscle weakness, and consequent impairment in activities of daily living. On the other hand, adherence to exercise training (ET) is associated with the attenuation of the impairments. The aims of the present study were to a) investigate adherence to ET in older adults with KOA diagnosed attending public service; and b) to analyze the physical function of the older adults with KOA who did not adhere to the ET in public service.

Methods: The adherence to ET programs was analyzed retrospectively from each patient's date of KOA diagnosis. After assessing the adherence to ET, the physical function of these older adults diagnosed with KOA (n=19) was analyzed and compared with another group composed of asymptomatic sedentary older adults without evidence of KOA (ASKOA) (n=17).

Results: Although all older adults with KOA received guidelines to practice ET, only 58% were able to start a program. Additionally, 100% of the sample could not perform ET uninterruptedly. According to the findings, close to 80% of older adults had difficulties scheduling ET sessions in public places. Subjects with KOA (12.1±3.1; IC95%:10.6-13.6) had worse lower limb functional capacity than ASKOA (8.1±1.0; IC95%:7.6-8.6; p<.001; δ=4.0 sec; d=1.7). Likewise, they had a lower dynamic balance than KOA (12.4±2.7; IC95%:11.1-13.7 vs. 8.0±1.1; IC95%:7.4-8.6; p<.001; δ=4.4 sec; d=2.1).

Conclusions: The investigated sample has a lack of ET adherence by difficulties in scheduling ET sessions in public places. In addition, it demonstrated impairment in physical function in older adults with KOA.