Exercise as medicine to be prescribed in osteoarthritis

Inactivity contributes to chronic diseases, including diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disorders, and obesity. Sedentary habits can shorten life expectancy. Exercise has been widely proposed as a valuable approach to prevention. Regular physical activity, as part of one’s daily routine, may help to manage pathological conditions. This editorial especially addresses osteoarthritis (OA), a degenerative disease of the articular cartilage, which is one of the most common causes of disability worldwide. Standard treatments for this illness include surgical procedures and pharmacological management; behavioural approaches are also strongly recommended. Physical exercise represents a practical strategy to preserve function, decrease pain and fatigue, and increase muscle strength and flexibility. We suggest that physical activity be considered as an established form of treatment, which means including exercise in standard therapeutic guidelines. A growing number of patients suffer from preventable chronic conditions that impose a heavy social and economic burden on the healthcare system. Preventive exercise training should be prescribed in the same way as pharmaceuticals.