Physical activity in relation to knee cartilage T2 progression measured with 3 T MRI over a period of 4 years: data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative

Summary Objective The purpose of this study was to analyze the longitudinal association between physical activity levels and early degenerative cartilage changes in the knee, measured using T2 relaxation times over a period of 4 years in individuals without clinical or radiographic evidence of OA. Design Cartilage T2 was measured at baseline and after 2 and 4 years in 205 subjects aged 45–60 years from the Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI) incidence and normal cohorts with no knee pain (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score of zero), and a Kellgren Lawrence (KL) score of