Walking 6,000 steps a day 'can improve knee osteoarthritis impairments'

A new study has shown how knee osteoarthritis patients can reduce their risk of physical disability by incorporating plenty of walking into their lifestyles.

Led by Boston University, the US research project measured daily steps taken by 1,788 people with or at risk for knee osteoarthritis over a seven-day period. Their functional limitations were evaluated two years later, as defined as a slow walking speed and a low physical function score.

It was found that walking an additional 1,000 steps per day was associated with reductions in incident functional limitation two years later of between 16 and 18 per cent. Taking less than 6,000 steps each day was determined as being the best threshold for identifying people who were most likely to develop functional limitations.

These findings, which were published in the medical journal Arthritis Care & Research, provide patients with a largely cost-free and simple way of avoiding physical disability associated with their condition. This can prevent them from struggling with everyday activities such as getting up from a chair and climbing stairs.

Data from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey shows that around 80 per cent of osteoarthritis patients have some limitation in movement.

Daniel White, lead author of the study, said: "Walking is an inexpensive activity and despite the common popular goal of walking 10,000 steps per day, our study finds only 6,000 steps are necessary to realise benefits.

"We encourage those with or at risk of knee osteoarthritis to walk at least 3,000 steps each day, and ultimately progress to 6,000 steps daily."

Professor Alan Silman, medical director of Arthritis Research UK, commented: "Exercise such as walking is vitally important for people with osteoarthritis of the knee, as long as they wear sensible trainer-type shoes with soft, thick soles and pace themselves. Using a walking stick can reduce the weight and stress on a painful knee and can be helpful in reducing pain and increasing the distance that people can cover.

"Arthritis Research UK is currently investigating ways to promote walking in older people with chronic musculoskeletal pain as there is a need to address their fear of injury and fear of falling. Many older people enjoy walking as a hobby, but are worried that it will make their osteoarthritis worse, but we want to encourage them to keep doing the things they love."