Original Articles
7 August 2025
Early Access
https://doi.org/10.4081/reumatismo.2025.1736

Sedentary behavior and physical activity preferences in patients with knee osteoarthritis: insights from a cross-sectional study

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Knee osteoarthritis, sedentary behavior, physical activity, preferences, educational interventions
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Authors

Samya Ez-zaoui
samya.ezzaoui@gmail.com
Department of Rheumatology B, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ibn Sina Hospital Center, Ayachi Hospital, Mohammed V University, Rabat, Morocco.
Hanan Rkain
Department of Rheumatology B, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ibn Sina Hospital Center, Ayachi Hospital, Mohammed V University, Rabat; Exercise Physiology and Autonomous Nervous System Team, Physiology Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Mohammed V University, Rabat, Morocco.
Sara Bahloul
Faculty of Medicine, Mohamed VI University of Science and Health, Casablanca, Morocco.
Fatine Kronbi
Department of Rheumatology B, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ibn Sina Hospital Center, Ayachi Hospital, Mohammed V University, Rabat, Morocco.
Rahma Honsali
https://orcid.org/0009-0000-7441-3279
Department of Rheumatology B, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ibn Sina Hospital Center, Ayachi Hospital, Mohammed V University, Rabat, Morocco.
Sara Farih
Department of Rheumatology B, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ibn Sina Hospital Center, Ayachi Hospital, Mohammed V University, Rabat, Morocco.
Imane Bensghir
Department of Rheumatology B, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ibn Sina Hospital Center, Ayachi Hospital, Mohammed V University, Rabat, Morocco.
Nada Benzine
Department of Rheumatology B, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ibn Sina Hospital Center, Ayachi Hospital, Mohammed V University, Rabat, Morocco.
Hind L’heri
Department of Rheumatology B, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ibn Sina Hospital Center, Ayachi Hospital, Mohammed V University, Rabat, Morocco.
Loubna Lammaghi
https://orcid.org/0009-0003-9721-3255
Division of Non-Communicable Diseases, Department of Epidemiology and Disease Control, Ministry of health and social protection, Rabat, Morocco.
Latifa Tahiri
Department of Rheumatology B, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ibn Sina Hospital Center, Ayachi Hospital, Mohammed V University, Rabat, Morocco.
Najia Hajjaj-Hassouni
Faculty of Medicine, Research Center of Health Sciences, International University of Rabat, Rabat, Morocco.
Fadoua Allali
Department of Rheumatology B, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ibn Sina Hospital Center, Ayachi Hospital, Mohammed V University, Rabat, Morocco.

Objective. Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent condition associated with significant disability, particularly affecting mobility and daily activities. Sedentary behavior is common among individuals with knee OA, influenced by factors such as pain, functional limitations, and sociocultural aspects. Despite the benefits of physical activity in managing knee OA, many patients remain sedentary. Understanding factors contributing to sedentary behavior and patients' preferences regarding physical activity is crucial for effective intervention. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the level of physical activity among Moroccan patients with knee OA, identify factors associated with sedentary behavior, and explore patients' expectations and preferences regarding physical activity.

Methods. We conducted a survey involving 130 patients with knee OA. Information on sociodemographic characteristics, disease profile, physical activity levels using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form, barriers to physical activity, and preferences for educational interventions was collected.

Results. The mean age of the patients was 59.9±10 years, with females comprising 84.6% of the sample. Sedentary behavior was prevalent in 69.2% of patients and was associated with factors such as age (p=0.005), lack of prior physical activity (p=0.01), knee pain (p=0.02), functional disability (p=0.01), socioeconomic factors (p=0.01), and non-recommendation of physical activity by rheumatologists (p=0.0001). Patients expressed preferences for outdoor physical activity (39.2%), gym-based exercise (30.8%), audiovisual support (80%), and participation in physical activity workshops (66.7%).

Conclusions. Sedentary behavior is prevalent among knee OA patients. It is important to overcome this unhealthy lifestyle and to encourage the practice of physical activity in this population by combating barriers reported by patients.

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Ethics Approval

The survey received approval from the Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Mohammed V University, Rabat, Morocco (approval no. 94/24) and was conducted per the ethical standards of the 1964 Declaration of Helsinki and its later amendments or comparable standards.

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Sedentary behavior and physical activity preferences in patients with knee osteoarthritis: insights from a cross-sectional study. (2025). Reumatismo. https://doi.org/10.4081/reumatismo.2025.1736
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