Objective

To evaluate which form and type of physical activity individuals with hip or knee osteoarthritis choose and maintain one and two years after an individualised intervention for physical activity and further to evaluate whether there were differences in the most chosen physical activity with regard to patient characteristics.

Method

Patients with hip or knee osteoarthritis from a previous randomised controlled trial, where they received individualised patient-centred counselling about physical activity and registered self-selected sessions of physical activity in a 7-day diary, were included. Sessions lasting more than 10 ​min and rated at least light effort were categorized, and differences were evaluated.

Results

Of the 94 patients included, 72.3 ​% were female, 72.0 ​% had knee osteoarthritis and mean age was 62.0 (SD 8.2) years. Women and men who preferred walking, walked on average ​> ​4 times/week and 3–4 times/week, respectively. Everyday activities and cycling were performed 2–3 times/week by both women and men. The proportions of individuals maintaining the same activity after one and two years were 50 ​% for walking and 2 ​% for strength training. Men more often choose different activities and after two years they performed everyday activities and cycling to the same extent as walking. Individuals who chose walking were significantly older, of female gender and had lower muscle strength in the affected leg.

Conclusion

Walking is the form of physical activity patients with osteoarthritis most often choose, perform and maintain. Knowledge about preferred activities among patients is crucial for maintaining physical activity in the long term.