Exercise adherence

Undertaking exercise on a regular basis can be difficult. It is well known that exercise adherence declines over time in people with hip/knee osteoarthritis leading to loss of exercise benefits. Numerous barriers to exercise exist and these differ across individuals.

OARSI Rehabilitation Discussion Group expert recommendations state that clinicians should:

  • Motivate the individual to perform and adhere to the exercise program.
  • Address barriers and facilitators to exercise early, and work with the individual to develop personalized strategies to promote long-term adherence to their exercise program.
  • Ensure that the exercise program is achievable to enhance long-term adherence.
  • Provide the individual with feedback on performance and outcomes of exercise.
  • Be prepared with alternative options for the individual if adherence to the exercise program is challenging.
  • Look at ways that the individual can maintain the exercise program within the community when their treatment has been completed.

Resources and tools to help support exercise adherence

Below, you can find a useful selection of free resources and tools available to assist people with hip/knee osteoarthritis adhere to their exercise program. Resources were assessed and selected based on their relevance for arthritis and the context of exercise, whether the information was factual and accurate, whether the source/author was reliable, the accessibility and clarity of the content, and whether the resource has been updated recently. Are you aware of other useful resources that aren’t listed here? Click here to let us know.

We would love to know how you are using this toolkit and its resources in your clinical practice. Click here to complete a quick one minute survey to let us know.

Education & information
Assessment & monitoring
Exercise prescription
Exercise adherence