Efeitos do fortalecimento muscular em idosos portadores de gonartrose: revisão da literatura

Knee osteoarthritis is a chronic joint disease that primarily affects older adults and may cause pain, stiffness, reduced muscle strength, and limitations in functional capacity, compromising mobility, the performance of activities of daily living, and independence. In this context, physical therapy plays an important role in treatment, particularly through strength training. This study aimed to analyze the effects of strength training on the functional capacity of older adults with knee osteoarthritis through an integrative literature review. The research was conducted using the PubMed, LILACS, SciELO, and PEDro databases, considering articles published between 2020 and 2026 in Portuguese and English, according to the established inclusion and exclusion criteria. Ten studies comprised the final sample. The results demonstrated that progressive resistance training contributed to improvements in functional capacity, muscle strength, mobility, and quality of life, in addition to promoting pain reduction. Benefits were also identified in home-based programs, aquatic exercises, and interventions combined with educational guidance and self-care strategies. It is concluded that strength training is a relevant strategy in the physical therapy rehabilitation of older adults with knee osteoarthritis and should be individually prescribed, considering each patient's functional condition and exercise tolerance. However, the heterogeneity of the protocols used highlights the need for further research to establish more specific parameters regarding the intensity, frequency, and duration of interventions.