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Knee Extensor Power Declines Rapidly with Aging, Increasing Risk of Knee Pain

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A study published in The Journal of Rheumatology found a significant correlation between knee extensor power and knee pain in adults with or at risk for knee osteoarthritis. Researchers from the University of Kansas Medical Center and the University of Iowa evaluated the relationship between knee extensor power and changes in knee pain over two years in a cohort of adults. The study used data from the Multicenter Osteoarthritis Study (MOST) and measured knee extensor power at baseline using isotonic contractions at 40% of 1-repetition maximum. The results showed that the weakest quartile of knee extensor power had a 1.35 times higher odds of worsening knee pain severity and a 1.95 times higher odds of incident frequent knee pain compared to the strongest quartile.

Key Takeaways:

  • Knee extensor power declines rapidly with aging, contributing to knee pain in adults with or at risk for knee osteoarthritis.
  • The weakest quartile of knee extensor power has a significantly higher odds of worsening knee pain severity and incident frequent knee pain.
  • The study used data from the Multicenter Osteoarthritis Study (MOST) and measured knee extensor power at baseline using isotonic contractions at 40% of 1-repetition maximum.
  • The results suggest that interventions targeting knee extensor power may reduce the risk for incident and progressive knee pain.
  • Neil A. Segal, MD, from the University of Kansas Medical Center, led the research team, which included authors from both the University of Kansas Medical Center and the University of Iowa.
  • Additional authors on the study include Chun-Hao Huang, David T. Felson, David A. Sherman, Cara L. Lewis, Kathryn L. Bacon, John Lynch, Cora E. Lewis, and Joshua Stefanik.

Statistics:

  • The study measured knee extensor power using isotonic contractions at 40% of 1-repetition maximum.
  • The weakest quartile of knee extensor power had a 1.35 times higher odds of worsening knee pain severity (95% CI 0.98-1.86).
  • The weakest quartile of knee extensor power had a 1.95 times higher odds of incident frequent knee pain (95% CI 1.22-3.05).
  • The study had a cohort of adults with or at risk for knee osteoarthritis, with baseline assessments at 8, 16, and 24 months.

Sources:

  • The Journal of Rheumatology. 2025.
  • The Journal of Rheumatology can be contacted at: J Rheumatol Publ Co, 365 Bloor St E, Ste 901, Toronto, Ontario M4W 3L4, Canada.
  • Neil A. Segal, N.A. Segal, MD, University of Kansas Medical Center, Dept. of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Kansas City, Kansas and University of Iowa, Dept. of Epidemiology, Iowa City, Iowa.
  • NewsRx. Researchers from University of Kansas Medical Center Report Recent Findings in Knee Osteoarthritis (Effect of Knee Extensor Power on Knee Pain in Adults With or at Risk for Osteoarthritis: The Multicenter Osteoarthritis Study). Health & Medicine Week. October 31, 2025; p 6830.

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