The effects of exercise and physical activity on gait biomechanics and pain in knee osteoarthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Exercise and physical activity in adults with knee osteoarthritis reduced pain (SMD 0.61, 95% CrI 0.29 to 0.92) and improved spatiotemporal gait parameters (SMD 0.67, 95% CrI 0.27 to 1.05).

• Why it matters: The review addresses uncertainty about whether exercise-based interventions improve both symptoms and walking mechanics in knee osteoarthritis, beyond pain alone.
• What they did: Controlled intervention studies up to 31 December 2024 were searched in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and SPORTDiscus; 18 studies (1,102 participants) were meta-analysed using Bayesian three-level hierarchical random-effects models.
• The result: Knee kinematics (SMD 0.12, 95% CrI -0.18 to 0.41) and kinetics (SMD -0.03, 95% CrI -0.25 to 0.18) showed small or uncertain effects, supporting the need for larger trials with standardized biomechanical measures and longer follow-up.

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