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Duy trì vận động vì sức khỏe khớp
Why physical activity protects joints and tendons, how exercise helps osteoarthritis and recovery, and how to stay active safely.
Định nghĩa¶
Duy trì vận động vì sức khỏe khớp có nghĩa là vận động đều đặn để giữ cho khớp hoạt động tốt và giúp khớp lành lại. Điều này bao gồm các hoạt động hằng ngày như đi bộ, cũng như các buổi tập luyện có kế hoạch. Vận động quan trọng ở mọi lứa tuổi. Với trẻ em và thanh thiếu niên từ 6-17 tuổi, hoạt động thể chất ở cường độ vừa đến mạnh mang lại nhiều kết quả tốt cho sức khỏe [1]. Khi về già, duy trì vận động có liên quan đến sức khỏe tổng thể tốt hơn [2].
Phương pháp này được cân nhắc cho những người có vấn đề về khớp như viêm khớp do hao mòn (thoái hóa khớp), và cho bất kỳ ai đang hồi phục sau chấn thương khớp hoặc phẫu thuật thay khớp. Tập luyện là cần thiết để hỗ trợ khớp khỏe mạnh và giúp sụn, lớp bề mặt trơn láng bên trong khớp, tiếp tục tự tái tạo và tự sửa chữa [3]. Sau chấn thương, có thể nghỉ ngơi một thời gian ngắn rồi mới vận động. Tập luyện vừa phải sau giai đoạn nghỉ ngơi ban đầu đó có thể giúp chỗ bám của gân vào xương lành lại, trong khi giữ yên quá lâu lại cản trở quá trình hồi phục [4]. Khi phản ứng ban đầu sau chấn thương đã lắng xuống, mức tập luyện phù hợp có thể giúp các gân bị tổn thương tái tạo [5].
Cách phương pháp này hoạt động rất đơn giản: cơ thể bạn đáp ứng với những tải trọng mà bạn đặt lên nó. Chỉ cần tăng hoạt động một chút cũng mang lại sự bảo vệ đáng kể trước nhiều bệnh mạn tính ở những người trưởng thành vốn ít vận động [6]. Bất kỳ đợt vận động nào cũng có giá trị, kể cả những đợt ngắn [7]. Khoảng 30-40 phút hoạt động ở cường độ vừa đến mạnh mỗi ngày có thể bù lại những nguy cơ sức khỏe do ngồi lâu [8]. Có rất ít bằng chứng cho thấy vận động gây tổn hại đáng kể, và lợi ích nhìn chung vượt trội hơn rủi ro [9].
Phương pháp này có hiệu quả không?¶
Với hầu hết mọi người, có, và bằng chứng ủng hộ việc duy trì vận động rất rộng. Một chương trình hoạt động aerobic nhẹ nhàng đều đặn, chẳng hạn như đi bộ, có liên quan đến những cải thiện sức khỏe đo lường được, bao gồm tỷ lệ tử vong do mọi nguyên nhân và do bệnh tim thấp hơn [10]. Các thử nghiệm về tập luyện cho viêm khớp do hao mòn ở đầu gối cho thấy tập luyện có thể cải thiện tình trạng đau và chức năng, mặc dù chưa chắc chắn mức cải thiện đó được cảm nhận rõ đến đâu trong cuộc sống hằng ngày [11]. Với đau vai, cả tập luyện có giám sát và phẫu thuật đều hiệu quả hơn giả dược sau 2 1/2 năm theo dõi [12]. Tập luyện dưới nước dường như giúp giảm đau do các vấn đề về cơ và khớp, và tác dụng giảm đau có thể kéo dài [13].
Một số kết quả chưa thống nhất hơn. Liệu pháp tập luyện đã giúp một số thanh thiếu niên bị đau xương bánh chè, nhưng không phải tất cả, và việc kiên trì với chương trình là phần khó khăn. Những em tập các bài tập tại nhà ba lần một tuần trở lên có khả năng đã hồi phục sau 12 tháng cao gấp bốn lần [14]. Với viêm khớp dạng thấp, một bệnh tự miễn gây viêm các khớp, chưa có bằng chứng nghiên cứu mạnh ủng hộ hay phản đối việc tập luyện bàn tay, mặc dù tập luyện có thể cải thiện sức mạnh về lâu dài và giảm cứng khớp trong thời gian ngắn [15]. Một số chương trình, chẳng hạn như một chương trình được thử nghiệm với hình thức hướng dẫn trực tuyến, không cho thấy lợi ích rõ ràng so với chăm sóc thông thường sau 12 tháng [16].
Nghiên cứu cũng còn những khoảng trống. Phần lớn những gì chúng ta biết đến từ việc quan sát những nhóm người lớn theo thời gian thay vì từ các thử nghiệm chặt chẽ [17], và các nhà nghiên cứu vẫn chưa thống nhất được cách tiêu chuẩn để định nghĩa và đo lường mức hoạt động [18]. Dù vậy, có rất ít bằng chứng cho thấy hoạt động thể chất gây tổn hại đáng kể, và lợi ích nhìn chung vượt trội hơn rủi ro [9]. Liệu pháp tập luyện không liên quan đến việc gia tăng các tác dụng phụ nhẹ, và ở những người mắc nhiều bệnh cùng lúc, liệu pháp này dường như làm giảm khả năng gặp các vấn đề nghiêm trọng như phải nhập viện [19].
Những rủi ro là gì?¶
Với hầu hết mọi người, vấn đề lớn nhất khi duy trì vận động là tập quá nhiều, quá sớm. Sau chấn thương, nghỉ ngơi một thời gian ngắn là bình thường, nhưng quay lại tập nặng trước khi cơ thể ổn định có thể gây bất lợi cho bạn. Nghiên cứu về gân cho thấy tăng hoạt động ngay sau một thời gian ngắn giữ bất động có thể làm giảm độ bền của gân và tầm vận động của khớp vai, có lẽ do hình thành thêm mô sẹo [20]. Giữ yên quá lâu cũng làm chậm quá trình hồi phục [4]. Mục tiêu là con đường ở giữa: vận động nhẹ nhàng, đều đặn khi phản ứng ban đầu sau chấn thương đã dịu xuống.
Tập luyện cũng có thể gây khó chịu trong thời gian ngắn. Các thử nghiệm so sánh những chương trình tập luyện cho đau cơ và khớp kéo dài cho thấy các chương trình có bài tập gây đau mang lại lợi ích ngắn hạn nhỏ nhưng có thật so với các chương trình không gây đau [21]. Nói một cách đơn giản, đau nhức phần nào trong hoặc sau khi tập là điều có thể xảy ra, và không phải lúc nào cũng có nghĩa là có tổn thương. Mối liên hệ giữa cơn đau và tổn thương mô cũng trở nên khó đoán hơn khi cơn đau kéo dài càng lâu [22], vì vậy chỉ riêng cảm giác đau nhức không phải là dấu hiệu đáng tin cậy để biết điều gì đang xảy ra bên trong khớp.
Tin tốt là tổn hại nghiêm trọng do hoạt động thể chất là không phổ biến. Có rất ít bằng chứng cho thấy vận động gây tổn hại đáng kể, và lợi ích nhìn chung vượt trội hơn rủi ro [9]. Liệu pháp tập luyện không liên quan đến việc gia tăng các tác dụng phụ nhẹ, và ở những người mắc nhiều bệnh cùng lúc, liệu pháp này dường như làm giảm khả năng gặp các vấn đề nghiêm trọng như phải nhập viện [19]. Với những người đã được thay bề mặt khớp háng, một dạng thay khớp, hoạt động được xem là an toàn cho sức khỏe chung, và chất lượng vận động quan trọng hơn số lượng vận động [23].
Một số câu hỏi vẫn còn bỏ ngỏ. Các thử nghiệm chưa cho thấy rõ ràng rằng bản thân hoạt động thể chất làm giảm nguy cơ tử vong [24], và phần lớn bằng chứng về hoạt động và quá trình lão hóa đến từ việc quan sát các nhóm người theo thời gian thay vì từ các thử nghiệm chặt chẽ [17]. Nếu bạn nhận thấy cơn đau không dịu đi, hoặc các triệu chứng nặng hơn theo từng tuần, hãy báo cho bác sĩ trước khi tiếp tục cố gắng tập.
Liệu phương pháp này có phù hợp với bạn không?¶
Duy trì vận động phù hợp với hầu hết mọi người, ở mọi lứa tuổi và với hầu hết các vấn đề về khớp. Nếu bạn bị viêm khớp do hao mòn, đang hồi phục sau chấn thương khớp, hoặc đã thay khớp, vận động thường là một phần của kế hoạch điều trị. Ngay cả những đợt hoạt động ngắn cũng có giá trị cho sức khỏe của bạn [7]. Những người đạt mức khuyến nghị 150-300 phút mỗi tuần, hoặc vượt mức đó, có khả năng mắc bệnh tim thấp hơn so với những người vận động ít nhất [25]. Với một số người, chẳng hạn như những người đã được thay bề mặt khớp háng, cách bạn vận động quan trọng hơn mức độ bạn vận động [23].
Phương pháp này có thể chưa phù hợp với tất cả mọi người ngay lập tức. Nếu bạn mới bị chấn thương, cơ thể bạn cần được nghỉ ngơi một thời gian ngắn trước, và tập nặng quá sớm có thể làm chậm quá trình hồi phục. Bác sĩ sẽ giúp bạn xác định thời điểm phù hợp.
Không có một phương pháp thay thế duy nhất nào để so sánh, vì duy trì vận động đi kèm với các phương pháp điều trị khác chứ không thay thế chúng. Các chương trình tập luyện, tập luyện dưới nước và phẫu thuật mỗi phương pháp phù hợp với những người khác nhau và những khớp khác nhau. Phương pháp nào phù hợp với bạn phụ thuộc vào khớp của bạn, các triệu chứng và mục tiêu của bạn.
Đây nên là quyết định chung giữa bạn và bác sĩ. Hãy cho bác sĩ biết bạn muốn quay lại làm điều gì, dù đó là dắt chó đi dạo hay trở lại chơi thể thao. Hãy hỏi một điểm khởi đầu an toàn đối với bạn là như thế nào, và cách tăng dần từ đó. Phần rủi ro ở trên giải thích những điều cần theo dõi, để bạn có thể nêu ra mọi băn khoăn trước khi bắt đầu.
Tóm lại¶
Có, duy trì vận động là điều đáng làm cho khớp và sức khỏe chung của bạn. Hãy kỳ vọng sự tiến bộ đều đặn thay vì một cách khắc phục nhanh: tập luyện giúp cải thiện tình trạng đau và khả năng cử động ở các khớp như đầu gối, mặc dù mức độ bạn cảm nhận được trong cuộc sống hằng ngày là khác nhau [11]. Điều cần lưu ý chính là tập quá nhiều, quá sớm, đặc biệt là sau chấn thương, vì vậy hãy tăng dần một cách nhẹ nhàng và hỏi ý kiến bác sĩ trước khi tiếp tục cố gắng tập.
Tài liệu tham khảo¶
[1] Physical activity and health in Chinese children and adolescents: expert consensus statement (2020). British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2020. DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2020-102261
[2] Taking up physical activity in later life and healthy ageing: the English longitudinal study of ageing. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2013. DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2013-092993
[3] Exercise for the patient with upper quadrant osteoarthritis. Journal of Hand Therapy. 2000. DOI: 10.1016/s0894-1130(00)80040-x
[4] Poster 234: Improvement of Tendon-Bone Interface Healing by Moderate Treadmill Exercise Combined with Knee Brace Immobilization Following an Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in a Murine Model. Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine. 2025. DOI: 10.1177/2325967125s00320
[5] Delayed exercise promotes remodeling in sub‐rupture fatigue damaged tendons. Journal of Orthopaedic Research. 2015. DOI: 10.1002/jor.22856
[6] Non-occupational physical activity and risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer and mortality outcomes: a dose–response meta-analysis of large prospective studies. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2023. DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2022-105669
[7] Short and sporadic bouts in the 2018 US physical activity guidelines: is high-intensity incidental physical activity the new HIIT?. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2019. DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2018-100397
[8] Joint associations of accelerometer-measured physical activity and sedentary time with all-cause mortality: a harmonised meta-analysis in more than 44 000 middle-aged and older individuals. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2020. DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2020-103270
[9] Strong, steady and straight: UK consensus statement on physical activity and exercise for osteoporosis. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2022. DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2021-104634
[10] THE BENEFITS OF EXERCISE FOR WOMEN. Clinics in Sports Medicine. 2000. DOI: 10.1016/s0278-5919(05)70197-6
[11] Cochrane in CORR®: Exercise for Osteoarthritis of the Knee. Clinical Orthopaedics & Related Research. 2025. DOI: 10.1097/corr.0000000000003476
[12] Arthroscopic surgery versus supervised exercises in patients with rotator cuff disease (stage II impingement syndrome): A prospective, randomized, controlled study in 125 patients with a follow-up. Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery. 1999. DOI: 10.1016/s1058-2746(99)90001-0
[13] The dose-response relationship of aquatic exercise for musculoskeletal pain relief: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. 2026. DOI: 10.1186/s12891-026-09953-0
[14] 2016 Patellofemoral pain consensus statement from the 4th International Patellofemoral Pain Research Retreat, Manchester. Part 2: recommended physical interventions (exercise, taping, bracing, foot orthoses and combined interventions). British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2016. DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2016-096268
[15] The effectiveness of hand exercises for persons with rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review. Journal of Hand Therapy. 2004. DOI: 10.1197/j.jht.2004.02.006
[16] Randomised controlled trial of an augmented exercise referral scheme using web-based behavioural support for inactive adults with chronic health conditions: the e-coachER trial. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2020. DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2020-103121
[17] Copenhagen Consensus statement 2019: physical activity and ageing. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2019. DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2018-100451
[18] Preventing the ‘24-hour Babel’: the need for a consensus on a consistent terminology scheme for physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2021. DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2021-104487
[19] Infographic. Benefits and harms of exercise therapy in people with multimorbidity. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2021. DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2021-104367
[20] Exercise following a short immobilization period is detrimental to tendon properties and joint mechanics in a rat rotator cuff injury model. Journal of Orthopaedic Research. 2010. DOI: 10.1002/jor.21059
[21] Should exercises be painful in the management of chronic musculoskeletal pain? A systematic review and meta-analysis. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2017. DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2016-097383
[22] Musculoskeletal pain and exercise—challenging existing paradigms and introducing new. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2018. DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2017-098983
[23] Quality, but not quantity of physical activity is associated with metal ion concentrations in unilateral hip resurfacing. Journal of Orthopaedic Research. 2020. DOI: 10.1002/jor.24637
[24] Physical activity and longevity: how to move closer to causal inference. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2018. DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2017-098995
[25] Wearable device-measured physical activity and incident cardiovascular disease in cancer survivors. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2025. DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2024-108734
Evidence & references
This is the clinical evidence summary written for health professionals. It is technical, and it lists the research this page was built from. You do not need to read it to understand your treatment or to make a decision about it.
Overview¶
- The 2018 US physical activity guidelines recognized that any bouts of physical activity count for health [1].
- In children and adolescents aged 6-17, participating in moderate to vigorous physical activities led to multiple positive health outcomes [2].
- There is little evidence that physical activity is associated with significant harm, and the benefits, in general, outweigh the risks [3].
- The 2020 WHO guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour update previous WHO recommendations released in 2010 [4].
- Maintenance interventions may help people continue to be physically active and improve physical function and health-related quality of life [5].
- About 15 times more physical activity of at least moderate intensity is needed to achieve similar results regarding the joint association of device-measured physical activity and abdominal obesity with incident cardiovascular disease [6].
- ISPAH's Eight Investments That Work for Physical Activity provides a summary of eight areas for action that are supported by scientific evidence and have worldwide applicability [7].
- Randomized controlled trials have failed to provide conclusive evidence that physical activity causes a reduced risk of death [11].
- Researchers need to come to agreement about how to collectively define physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and sleep through an inclusive and systematic consensus process [13].
- Patients may safely engage in activities to achieve important general health benefits and quality of life, as quality, but not quantity of physical activity is associated with metal ion concentrations in unilateral hip resurfacing [14].
- There may be no minimal or maximal threshold for the benefits of accelerometer-measured intensity-specific physical activity regarding incident type 2 diabetes [15].
- Policymakers should introduce physical activity promotion into the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) as an individual indicator at a cost of approximately £1 million [18].
- Findings question whether total hip arthroplasty should be prioritized only for those patients who have severe hip osteoarthritis symptoms, but require confirmation in a trial [21].
- The Arthritis Committee recognizes the profound importance of arthritic disorders to the general population, not only as a health problem, but for their social and economic impact [25].
- Changes to physical activity guidelines, such as removal of a 10-min bout criterion, pose challenges for physical activity surveillance [26].
- An excellent outcome was considered 112% total active motion in the context of progressive force exercises to the injured flexor tendon [33].
- Individuals not achieving the WHO guideline for physical activity showed an elevated risk of cancer, even if they were abdominally lean (HR 1.04, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.07) [35].
- At follow-up, 65.0% of inactive participants were taking part in sport and 85.6% were meeting recommended moderate-to-vigorous physical activity guidelines in a Workplace Challenge intervention [36].
- Most differences in functional outcomes following a scapular exercise program for patients with hand, wrist, or elbow disorders did not reach the minimum threshold to be considered clinically important [82].
- Traditional Chinese medicine comprehensive therapy for exercise-related musculoskeletal injuries suggests potential benefits, though randomized controlled trials are needed for definitive efficacy assessment [83].
- There is widespread omission of basic teaching elements, such as the Chief Medical Officer recommendations and guidance on physical activity, in the undergraduate curricula of all UK medical schools [84].
- Consensus was reached in 46/49 (94%) statements regarding clinical and exercise professionals’ opinion of physical activity prescreening and contraindications for participating in postpartum physical activity [85].
How It Works¶
General Health and Mortality¶
- The 2018 US physical activity guidelines recognize that any bouts of physical activity count for health [1].
- In children and adolescents aged 6-17, participating in moderate to vigorous physical activities leads to multiple positive health outcomes [2].
- There is little evidence that physical activity is associated with significant harm, and the benefits generally outweigh the risks [3].
- Inverse non-linear dose–response associations suggest substantial protection against a range of chronic disease outcomes from small increases in non-occupational physical activity in inactive adults [8].
- Light-intensity physical activity accounts for the majority of physical activity energy expenditure (51–59%) and is an accessible public health target [9].
- Sustained physical activity in older age is associated with improved overall health [10].
- The proportion of participants meeting the health-enhancing physical activity recommendations increased from 33.1% to 42.3% between baseline and first follow-up in the Allez Hop programme [22].
- About 30-40 min of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per day attenuate the association between sedentary time and risk of death [48].
- The highly interconnected role of cardiorespiratory fitness in the association between physical activity and cardiometabolic health suggests limited direct effects of physical activity on cardiometabolic health beyond its impact on cardiorespiratory fitness [49].
Tissue Healing and Remodeling¶
- Exercise has been shown to be necessary to support healthy joints and maintain cartilage remodeling and repair [37].
- Moderate treadmill exercise following an initial period of short-term immobilization has a positive impact on tendon-bone interface healing, whereas prolonged immobilization has a detrimental effect on physical recovery [38].
- After a short period of immobilization, increased activity is detrimental to both tendon mechanical properties and shoulder joint mechanics, presumably due to increased scar production [39].
- Physiological exercise applied after the initial biological response to injury has dampened can potentially promote remodeling of damaged tendons [40].
- Exercise accelerates bone defect healing and stimulates angiogenesis during bore repair [44].
- Delayed postoperative exercise with moderate strength appears to accelerate the early phase of bone-tendon healing, a process that may be linked to increased expression of periphery neuropeptides known to play a role in tissue healing [53].
- Physical activity speeds up tendon healing, which may prove to be linked to accelerated neuronal plasticity [55].
- Treadmill exercise engenders increased cyclic bone strain within a physiologic range and distribution, distinct from sedentary background activity, to investigate bone formation and modeling [56].
Clinical Outcomes and Interventions¶
- Interventions implemented at ≤12 weeks after total knee arthroplasty primarily improved functional performance, whereas those lasting >12 weeks resulted in greater gains in muscle strength and joint flexibility [19].
- Findings question whether total hip arthroplasty should be prioritized only for patients with severe hip osteoarthritis symptoms, but require confirmation in a trial [21].
- The addition of wearable activity tracker use did not have any effect on perceived joint function or health-related quality of life in people with hip and knee osteoarthritis [27].
- After 2 1/2 years of follow-up, both arthroscopic surgery and supervised exercises are better treatments than placebo for rotator cuff disease [28].
- Pain science education may act as a mechanism of action for exercise interventions and is less successful when delivered standalone [43].
What the Evidence Shows¶
- Approximately 15 times more physical activity of at least moderate intensity is needed to achieve similar results regarding the joint association of device-measured physical activity and abdominal obesity with incident cardiovascular disease [6].
- Much of the evidence regarding physical activity and ageing is based on longitudinal associations from observational and randomised controlled intervention studies in relatively healthy community-dwelling older adults [12].
- Patients with unilateral hip resurfacing may safely engage in activities to achieve important general health benefits and quality of life, as quality but not quantity of physical activity is associated with metal ion concentrations [14].
- There may be no minimal or maximal threshold for the benefits of accelerometer-measured intensity-specific physical activity on incident type 2 diabetes [15].
- The consensus statement on precision exercise medicine outlines approaches that may identify determinants and modifiers of cardiorespiratory fitness exercise response [17].
- Exercise interventions implemented at ≤12 weeks after total knee arthroplasty primarily improved functional performance, whereas those lasting >12 weeks resulted in greater gains in muscle strength and joint flexibility [19].
- There is moderate certainty evidence that fall prevention exercise programmes are likely to be cost-effective [20].
- The joint association between daily time spent in physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and sleep and all-cause mortality was examined using compositional analysis [23].
- After 2 1/2 years of follow-up, both arthroscopic surgery and supervised exercises are better treatments than placebo for patients with rotator cuff disease (stage II impingement syndrome) [28].
- Compared with control players, those who participated in the NMC programme found it to be less physically challenging but more enjoyable and potentially of more benefit [29].
- Protocols using painful exercises offer a small but significant benefit over pain-free exercises in the short term for the management of chronic musculoskeletal pain [30].
- A regular program of relatively modest aerobic physical activity is associated with measurable improvement in health, including reduced all-cause and cardiovascular mortality [31].
- Brief interventions promoting physical activity in primary care and the community are likely to be inexpensive compared with usual care [32].
- An excellent outcome for the pyramid of progressive force exercises to the injured flexor tendon was considered 112% total active motion [33].
- Approximately 65 min per day of walking and 5 min of stair climbing were each linked to a more favourable cardiometabolic profile, while the adverse effects of sitting became pronounced above 12 hours per day [34].
- At follow-up, 65.0% of inactive participants in the Workplace Challenge were taking part in sport and 85.6% were meeting recommended MVPA guidelines [36].
- Exercise may improve pain and function in osteoarthritis of the knee with low to moderate certainty, but it is uncertain whether differences are clinically important [57].
- The 'Physical Activity 4 Everyone' school-based intervention resulted in a significant group-by-time interaction for mean minutes of MVPA per day in favour of the intervention group, equating to 27 min more MVPA per week [58].
- Aquatic exercise appears to provide meaningful pain relief for musculoskeletal disorders, with benefits that may persist during follow-up [59].
- There was no significant effect of the e-coachER intervention on weekly MVPA at 12 months between the groups recorded in ≥10 min bouts or without bouts [61].
- Compared with obesity-low physical activity, there was no survival benefit of being normal weight if physical activity levels were low [62].
- The absence of a control group in the trigger finger study means findings demonstrate feasibility and short-term clinical improvement but cannot establish superiority over other conservative treatments [63].
- Results from a formal 2-year cluster randomised-controlled trial confirmed the Y-PATH programme was effective in improving youth fundamental movement skills proficiency [64].
- A coaching intervention to enhance physical activity and prevent falls in community-dwelling people aged 60+ years improved daily steps, MVPA, hours per week of walking, overall well-being, quality of life, and disability [66].
- Home-based exercise is supported as a potentially scalable rehabilitation strategy for subacromial pain, although larger studies are needed to confirm long-term healthcare utilisation outcomes [67].
- Treatment groups in the WALK 2.0 trial differed significantly in trajectories of minutes/day of physical activity, with a greater change at 3 months for Web 2.0 than Web 1.0 (7.3 min/day, 95% CI 2.4 to 12.3) [68].
- Both exercise regimes are effective in improving cervical joint position sense and reducing symptoms in people with persistent neck pain [69].
- An educational handout is noninferior to hand therapy for achieving full ROM in composite flexion but not total active motion after plaster cast immobilization of simple phalangeal and metacarpal fractures in children [70].
- Exercise therapy is effective for some adolescents with patellofemoral pain but not all, and adherence to exercises is a challenge, with those doing home exercises three times per week or more being four times more likely to be recovered after 12 months [71].
- Physical activity interventions that combine self-monitoring with other components provide an additional modest yet sustained increase in step count compared with self-monitoring alone [72].
- Teachers at intervention schools recorded a greater increase in weekly minutes of physical activity implemented than teachers assigned to the control schools by approximately 44.2 min (95% CI 32.8 to 55.7) from baseline to 12-month follow-up [73].
- Exercise therapy was not associated with an increased risk of non-serious adverse events (risk ratio 0.96) and appeared to reduce the risk of serious adverse events such as hospitalisation and pneumonia (risk ratio 0.62) in people with multimorbidity [74].
- Many coaches are unaware of the benefits of exercise training programmes and do not deliver them, leading to low compliance and limited success in injury prevention [75].
- To realise the greatest effects of a pre-activity movement control exercise programme in schoolboy rugby players, players should complete the programme at least three times per week [76].
- Exercise is associated with improvements in physical and mental health in the maintenance of weight loss [77].
- Future research should focus on optimizing current exercise regimens for people with knee osteoarthritis and exploring how to improve adherence while minimizing symptom exacerbation by other exercise modalities [78].
- The PERSiST guidance attempts to address the problem of poor reporting of medical and healthcare systematic reviews in the sports and exercise medicine, musculoskeletal rehabilitation, and sports science fields [81].
- There is not strong research evidence for or against the value of hand exercise in the treatment of persons with rheumatoid arthritis, although results suggest that appropriate exercise might lead to long-term strength changes and very short-term changes in stiffness [86].
- More adequately powered and rigorous trials are needed to evaluate the effect of exercise interventions on sport-related concussion incidence, and on linear and rotational head accelerations [87].
- The modest volume of the prospective epidemiological evidence base and the moderate consistency between observational and laboratory evidence inhibits definitive conclusions regarding how light-intensity physical activity associates with adult cardiometabolic health and mortality [88].
Practical Considerations¶
- The 2018 US physical activity guidelines recognise that any bouts of physical activity count for health [1].
- ISPAH's Eight Investments That Work for Physical Activity provides a summary of eight areas for action supported by scientific evidence and having worldwide applicability [7].
- Light-intensity physical activity (LPA) accounts for the majority of physical activity energy expenditure (51–59%) and is an accessible public health target [9].
- Much of the evidence regarding physical activity and ageing is based on longitudinal associations from observational and randomised controlled intervention studies, as well as quantitative and qualitative social studies in relatively healthy community-dwelling older adults [12].
- There may be no minimal or maximal threshold for the benefits of accelerometer-measured intensity-specific physical activity in relation to incident type 2 diabetes [15].
- Lessons learnt and recommendations for future research have been summarised as 'roadmaps' to encourage moving the field of physical activity towards achieving population-level impact globally [16].
- Policymakers are proposed to introduce physical activity promotion into the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) as an individual indicator at a cost of approximately £1 million [18].
- The proportion of participants meeting the health-enhancing physical activity (HEPA) recommendations increased from 33.1% to 42.3% between baseline and first follow-up in the Allez Hop programme [22].
- The FIMS 2019 consensus statement on sport and exercise genomics should regularly be updated on the basis of new information emerging from sport and exercise medicine and genomics of health and disease [24].
- Changes to physical activity guidelines, such as the removal of a 10-min bout criterion, pose challenges for physical activity surveillance [26].
- Protocols using painful exercises offer a small but significant benefit over pain-free exercises in the short term, with moderate quality of evidence [30].
- Youth 12–24 months after a sport-related ACL injury exhibit themes of balancing physical activity, reframing perceptions of risk, and overcoming barriers to return to sport [45].
- Communication to raise awareness and knowledge of the physical activity guidelines must be supported by policies, environments and opportunities for physical activity [47].
- Broadbased application of the framework for driving physical activity policy will aid in moving from isolated interventions to sustainable, population-wide gains in physical activity [50].
- The costs and benefits of harmonising existing questionnaires, along with the potential introduction of device-based measures, are recommended for consideration in UK physical activity surveillance [52].
- Brief advice is a cost-effective way to improve physical activity among adults, provided short-term mental health gains are considered [60].
- Infographics aim to encourage patients to make exercising a regular habit by highlighting potential benefits and providing clear guidelines and safety messages for intermittent claudication [65].
- Hydroplasty and therapeutic exercise for frozen shoulder has the advantage of being performed in a clinic setting and is cost-effective [79].
- Adhering to physical activity guidelines (150–300 min per week) and surpassing them (≥300 min per week) were associated with 23% and 37% lower risk of incident cardiovascular disease, respectively, compared with those with the lowest physical activity duration (0–75 min per week) in cancer survivors [80].
Key Evidence¶
- [L5] The 2018 US PA guidelines opened new horizons for PA and exercise medicine practice by recognising that any bouts of PA count for health. [1] (10.1136/bjsports-2018-100397)
- [Paper] The panel agreed on 10 major themes with strong scientific evidence that, in children and adolescents aged 6-17, participating in moderate to vigorous physical activities led to multiple positive health outcomes. [2] (10.1136/bjsports-2020-102261)
- [L5] There is little evidence that physical activity is associated with significant harm, and the benefits, in general, outweigh the risks. [3] (10.1136/bjsports-2021-104634)
- [Paper] These 2020 WHO guidelines update previous WHO recommendations released in 2010. [4] (10.1136/bjsports-2020-102955)
- [L1] Maintenance interventions may help people continue to be physically active and improve physical function and health-related quality of life. [5] (10.1136/bjsports-2025-110444)
- [L3] About 15 times more physical activity of at least moderate intensity is needed to achieve similar results. [6] (10.1136/bjsports-2023-107252)
- [Paper] ISPAH's Eight Investments That Work for Physical Activity provides a summary of eight areas for action that are supported by scientific evidence and have worldwide applicability. [7] (10.1136/bjsports-2020-103635)
- [L1] Inverse non-linear dose–response associations suggest substantial protection against a range of chronic disease outcomes from small increases in non-occupational physical activity in inactive adults. [8] (10.1136/bjsports-2022-105669)
- [L5] LPA is an accessible public health target and a potentially valuable complement to existing PA guidelines, as it accounts for the majority of PA energy expenditure (51–59%). [9] (10.1136/bjsports-2025-111179)
- [L3] Sustained physical activity in older age is associated with improved overall health. [10] (10.1136/bjsports-2013-092993)
- [L5] RCTs have failed to provide conclusive evidence that physical activity causes a reduced risk of death. [11] (10.1136/bjsports-2017-098995)
- [Paper] Much of the evidence presented in the statements is based on longitudinal associations from observational and randomised controlled intervention studies, as well as quantitative and qualitative social studies in relatively healthy community-dwelling older adults. [12] (10.1136/bjsports-2018-100451)
- [L5] Researchers need to prevent this looming ‘24-hour Babel’ by coming to agreement about how to collectively define PA, SB and sleep through an inclusive and systematic consensus process. [13] (10.1136/bjsports-2021-104487)
- [L3] This suggests that patients may safely engage in such activities to achieve important general health benefits and quality of life. [14] (10.1002/jor.24637)
- [L2] There may be no minimal or maximal threshold for the benefits. [15] (10.1136/bjsports-2022-106653)
- [Paper] We have summarised lessons learnt and recommendations for future research as 'roadmaps' in progress to encourage moving the field of physical activity towards achieving population-level impact globally. [16] (10.1136/bjsports-2019-101001)
- [Paper] The consensus statement outlines approaches that may identify determinants and modifiers of CRF exercise response and recommends future research to better understand exercise response variability. [17] (10.1136/bjsports-2018-100328)
- [L5] The authors propose that policymakers should introduce physical activity promotion into the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) as an individual indicator at a cost of approximately £1 million. [18] (10.1136/bjsm.2010.073726)
- [L1] The interventions implemented at ≤12 weeks primarily improved the functional performance, whereas those lasting >12 weeks resulted in greater gains in the muscle strength and joint flexibility. [19] (10.1186/s13018-025-06430-7)
- [L1] There is moderate certainty evidence that fall prevention exercise programmes are likely to be cost-effective. [20] (10.1136/bjsports-2022-105747)
- [L3] These findings question whether THA should be prioritized only for those patients who have severe hip OA symptoms, but require confirmation in a trial. [21] (10.1016/j.arth.2025.04.032)
- [L4] The proportion of participants meeting the health-enhancing physical activity (HEPA) recommendations increased from 33.1% to 42.3% between baseline and first follow-up. [22] (10.1136/bjsm.2009.070201)
- [L2] The joint association between daily time spent in physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep and all-cause mortality was examined using compositional analysis. [23] (10.1136/bjsports-2020-102345)
- [L5] This guiding reference should regularly be updated on the basis of new information emerging from the area of sport and exercise medicine as well as from the developments and challenges in genomics of health and disease in general in order to best protect the athletes, patients and all other relevant stakeholders. [24] (10.1136/bjsports-2019-101532)
- [Paper] The Arthritis Committee recognizes the profound importance of arthritic disorders to the general population, not only as a health problem, but for their social and economic impact. [25] (10.1016/s0363-5023(83)80245-7)
- [Paper] Changes to the PA guidelines, such as removal of a 10-min bout criterion, pose challenges for PA surveillance. [26] (10.1136/bjsports-2020-102621)
- [L1] The addition of WAT-use did not have any effect on perceived joint function or HRQoL. [27] (10.1186/s12891-024-08238-8)
- [L1] We conclude that after 2 1/2 years of follow-up, both arthroscopic surgery and supervised exercises are better treatments than placebo. [28] (10.1016/s1058-2746(99)90001-0)
- [L1] Compared with control players, those who participated in the NMC programme found it to be less physically challenging but more enjoyable and potentially of more benefit. [29] (10.1136/bjsports-2013-092816)
- [L1] Protocols using painful exercises offer a small but significant benefit over pain-free exercises in the short term, with moderate quality of evidence. [30] (10.1136/bjsports-2016-097383)
- [Paper] A regular program of relatively modest aerobic physical activity is associated with measurable improvement in health, including reduced all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. [31] (10.1016/s0278-5919(05)70197-6)
- [L1] Brief interventions promoting physical activity in primary care and the community are likely to be inexpensive compared with usual care. [32] (10.1136/bjsports-2015-094655)
- [L5] An excellent outcome was considered 112% total active motion. [33] (10.1197/j.jht.2003.10.005)
- [L5] The resource also delivered the first pooled analysis exploring physical activity type in relation to cardiometabolic health, showing that approximately 65 min per day of walking and 5 min of stair climbing were each linked to a more favourable cardiometabolic profile, while the adverse effects of sitting became pronounced above 12 hours per day. [34] (10.1136/bjsports-2025-111283)
- [L2] Similarly, individuals not achieving the WHO guideline for physical activity showed an elevated risk, even if they were abdominally lean (HR 1.04, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.07). [35] (10.1136/bjsports-2024-108708)
- [Paper] At follow-up, 65.0% of inactive participants were taking part in sport and 85.6% were meeting recommended MVPA guidelines. [36] (10.1136/bjsports-2017-097716)
- [L5] Exercise has been shown to be not only “not harmful” but necessary to support healthy joints and maintain cartilage remodeling and repair. [37] (10.1016/s0894-1130(00)80040-x)
- [L5] Moderate treadmill exercise following an initial period of short-term immobilization has a positive impact on tendon-bone interface healing, whereas prolonged immobilization has a detrimental effect on physical recovery. [38] (10.1177/2325967125s00320)
- [Paper] Therefore, we conclude that after a short period of immobilization, increased activity is detrimental to both tendon mechanical properties and shoulder joint mechanics, presumably due to increased scar production. [39] (10.1002/jor.21059)
- [Paper] Physiological exercise applied after the initial biological response to injury has dampened can potentially promote remodeling of damaged tendons. [40] (10.1002/jor.22856)
- [L1] PSE may act as a mechanism of action for exercise interventions, and is less successful delivered standalone. [43] (10.1186/s12891-025-09313-4)
- [Paper] We conclude that exercise accelerates bone defect healing and stimulates angiogenesis during bore repair. [44] (10.1002/jor.21352)
- [L4] It highlights themes of balancing physical activity, reframing perceptions of risk, and overcoming barriers to return to sport. [45] (10.1002/jor.25064)
- [Paper] Communication to raise awareness and knowledge of the physical activity guidelines must be supported by policies, environments and opportunities for physical activity. [47] (10.1136/bjsports-2020-102324)
- [L1] About 30-40 min of MVPA per day attenuate the association between sedentary time and risk of death, which is lower than previous estimates from self- reported data. [48] (10.1136/bjsports-2020-103270)
- [L4] The highly interconnected role of CRF in the association between PA and cardiometabolic health suggests limited direct effects of PA on cardiometabolic health beyond its impact on CRF. [49] (10.1136/bjsports-2023-107451)
- [Paper] Broadbased application of this framework will aid in moving from isolated interventions to sustainable, population-wide gains in PA. [50] (10.1136/bjsports-2025-110686)
- [Paper] We recommend that the costs and benefits of harmonising the existing questionnaires are considered, along with the potential introduction of device-based measures. [52] (10.1136/bjsports-2018-100355)
- [Paper] In conclusion, delayed postoperative exercise with moderate strength appears to accelerate the early phase of B‐T healing, a process that may prove to be linked to increased expression of periphery neuropeptides known to play a role in tissue healing. [53] (10.1002/jor.24678)
- [Paper] Physical activity speeds up tendon healing, which may prove to be linked to accelerated neuronal plasticity. [55] (10.1002/jor.20257)
- [L3] The study supports the use of treadmill exercise to engender increased cyclic bone strain within a physiologic range and distribution, distinct from sedentary background activity, to investigate bone formation and modeling. [56] (10.1002/jor.1100160106)
- [L1] Exercise may improve pain and function with low to moderate certainty, but it is uncertain whether differences are clinically important. [57] (10.1097/corr.0000000000003476)
- [L1] There was a significant group-by-time interaction for mean minutes of MVPA per day in favour of the intervention group (adjusted difference between groups at follow-up=3.85 min, 95% CI (0.79 to 6.91), p≤0.01), including significantly more vigorous physical activity (2.45 min, p≤0.01), equating to 27 min more MVPA per week. [58] (10.1136/bjsports-2014-094523)
- [L1] AQE appears to provide meaningful pain relief for musculoskeletal disorders, with benefits that may persist during follow-up. [59] (10.1186/s12891-026-09953-0)
- [Paper] BA is a cost-effective way to improve PA among adults, provided short-term mental health gains are considered. [60] (10.1136/bjsports-2013-092897)
- [L1] There was no significant effect of the intervention on weekly MVPA at 12 months between the groups recorded in ≥10 min bouts (mean difference 11.8 min of MVPA, 95% CI: −2.1 to 26.0; p=0.10) or without bouts (mean difference 13.7 min of MVPA, 95% CI: −26.8 to 54.2; p=0.51). [61] (10.1136/bjsports-2020-103121)
- [L2] Compared with obesity-low physical activity, there was no survival benefit of being normal weight if physical activity levels were low. [62] (10.1136/bjsports-2021-104827)
- [L4] Because of the absence of a control group, these findings demonstrate feasibility and short-term clinical improvement but cannot establish superiority over other conservative treatments. [63] (10.1016/j.jhsg.2026.101038)
- [Paper] Results from a formal 2-year cluster randomised-controlled trial confirmed the programme was effective in improving youth FMS proficiency. [64] (10.1136/bjsports-2018-099745)
- [Paper] The infographic aims to encourage patients to make exercising a regular habit by highlighting potential benefits and providing clear guidelines and safety messages. [65] (10.1136/bjsports-2019-101930)
- [L1] However, this programme improved other physical activity measures (ie, daily steps, MVPA, hours per week of walking), overall well-being, quality of life and disability. [66] (10.1136/bjsports-2023-107027)
- [L2] These findings support home-based exercise as a potentially scalable rehabilitation strategy, although larger studies are needed to confirm long-term healthcare utilisation outcomes. [67] (10.1016/j.jseint.2026.101779)
- [L1] Treatment groups differed significantly in trajectories of minutes/day of physical activity (p=0.0198), through a greater change at 3 months for Web 2.0 than Web 1.0 (7.3 min/day, 95% CI 2.4 to 12.3). [68] (10.1136/bjsports-2016-096890)
- [L1] The results suggest that both exercise regimes are effective in improving cervical joint position sense and reducing symptoms in people with persistent neck pain. [69] (10.1002/jor.20220)
- [L1] An educational handout is noninferior to hand therapy for achieving full ROM in composite flexion but not TAM. [70] (10.1016/j.jht.2020.03.017)
- [Paper] Exercise therapy is effective for some adolescents but not all, and adherence to exercises is a challenge, with those doing home exercises three times per week or more being four times more likely to be recovered after 12 months. [71] (10.1136/bjsports-2016-096268)
- [L1] Physical activity interventions that combine self-monitoring with other components provide an additional modest yet sustained increase in step count compared with self-monitoring alone. [72] (10.1136/bjsports-2021-105198)
- [L1] Teachers at intervention schools recorded a greater increase in weekly minutes of PA implemented than teachers assigned to the control schools by approximately 44.2 min (95% CI 32.8 to 55.7) from baseline to 12-month follow-up. [73] (10.1136/bjsports-2020-103764)
- [L1] Exercise therapy was not associated with an increased risk of non-serious adverse events (risk ratio 0.96) and appeared to reduce the risk of serious adverse events such as hospitalisation and pneumonia (risk ratio 0.62). [74] (10.1136/bjsports-2021-104367)
- [L1] The study highlights that despite scientific evidence, many coaches are unaware of the benefits of these programmes and do not deliver them, leading to low compliance and limited success in injury prevention. [75] (10.1136/bjsports-2012-091797)
- [L1] To realise the greatest effects, players should complete the programme at least three times per week. [76] (10.1136/bjsports-2016-097434)
- [Paper] Exercise is associated with improvements in physical and mental health. [77] (10.1136/bjsports-2021-104754)
- [L1] Future research should focus on optimizing current exercise regimens for people with knee OA and exploring how to improve adherence while minimizing symptom exacerbation by other exercise modalities. [78] (10.1186/s12891-025-08746-1)
- [L4] It has the advantage of being performed in a clinic setting, and it is cost-effective. [79] (10.1016/s0894-1130(03)00037-1)
- [L3] Adhering to PA guidelines (150–300 min per week) and surpassing them (≥300 min per week) were associated with 23% and 37% lower risk of incident CVD, respectively, compared with those with the lowest PA duration (0–75 min per week). [80] (10.1136/bjsports-2024-108734)
- [Paper] The Prisma in Exercise, Rehabilitation, Sport medicine and SporTs science (PERSiST) guidance attempts to address the problem of poor reporting of medical and healthcare systematic reviews in the sports and exercise medicine, musculoskeletal rehabilitation, and sports science fields. [81] (10.1136/bjsports-2021-103987)
- [L1] However, most of these differences did not reach the minimum threshold to be considered clinically important. [82] (10.1016/j.jht.2024.07.006)
- [L4] These findings suggest potential benefits of this treatment approach, though randomized controlled trials are needed for definitive efficacy assessment. [83] (10.1186/s13018-025-05768-2)
- [Paper] There is widespread omission of basic teaching elements, such as the Chief Medical Officer recommendations and guidance on PA, which has been endorsed by all four UK Departments of Health. [84] (10.1136/bjsports-2012-091380)
- [L5] Consensus was reached in 46/49 (94%) statements. [85] (10.1136/bjsports-2024-109104)
- [L1] There is not strong research evidence for or against the value of hand exercise in the treatment of persons with rheumatoid arthritis, although results of this review suggest that appropriate exercise might lead to long-term strength changes and very short-term changes in stiffness. [86] (10.1197/j.jht.2004.02.006)
- [L1] More adequately powered and rigorous trials are needed to evaluate the effect of exercise interventions on SRC incidence, and on linear and rotational head accelerations. [87] (10.1136/bjsports-2024-108260)
- [L1] Nevertheless, the modest volume of the prospective epidemiological evidence base and the moderate consistency between observational and laboratory evidence inhibits definitive conclusions. [88] (10.1136/bjsports-2017-097563)
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[20] Economic evaluations of fall prevention exercise programs: a systematic review. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2022. DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2022-105747
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