Craftsmen and workers in the construction industry are at an increased risk of developing gonarthrosis due to their work-related burdens. In order to maintain the ability to work, occupational co-operative measures for secondary prevention can be carried out (BG Bau/Kniekolleg). The aim was to evaluate the efficacy after 2 years, depending on the degree of exercise adherence.
In a repeated measurement design (T1 before, T2 after knee school, T3 after 1 year, T4 after 2 years), 140 construction patients were assessed for their dynamic muscular strength (knee extension, 60°/s,); their quality of life (SF-36) and characteristics for gonarthrosis (WOMAC) were evaluated using analyses of variances, whereby one group trained after the knee training in the gym with instruction (Gr. 1 n = 63), one group completed a home-training program (Gr. 2 n = 38), and one group completed exercises outside of knee school (Gr.3 n = 39).
For all parameters, significant acute efficacy and 2‑year sustainability effects were observed (p ≤ 0.05, d: 0.2-0.8). There was no interaction with adherence during training after knee school (p > 0.05).
Knee school has proved to be effective in the long term, leading to a critical questioning of future research, why there are no differences between guided, reduced or even missing long-term maintenance training.