Effect of high-intensity strength training on knee pain and knee joint compressive forces among adults with knee osteoarthritis: The START randomized clinical trial

Abstract

IMPORTANCE Thigh muscle weakness is associated with knee discomfort and osteoarthritis disease progression. Little is known about the efficacy of high-intensity strength training in patients with knee osteoarthritis or whether it may worsen knee symptoms. OBJECTIVE To determine whether high-intensity strength training reduces knee pain and knee joint compressive forces more than low-intensity strength training and more than attention control in patients with knee osteoarthritis. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Assessor-blinded randomized clinical trial conducted at a university research center in North Carolina that included 377 community-dwelling adults (<50 years) with body mass index (B..