Daily physical activity plays a far more significant role in the well-being of people living with osteoarthritis than handgrip strength or isolated motor tasks, according to new research from the University of Sharjah. The study, published in the European Journal of Applied Physiology, challenges common assumptions in osteoarthritis research by shifting attention away from single measures of muscular strength and towards the everyday movements that shape how individuals function and feel in their daily lives.
The researchers set out to address what they describe as an overlooked question in both clinical practice and scientific literature: which daily physical abilities most strongly influence quality of life for people with osteoarthritis. To do this, they analysed data from more than 38,000 adults aged 50 and above across 28 European countries, drawing on the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe. This large-scale dataset allowed the team to examine links between physical function and well-being in a diverse population living with age-related joint disease.
The analysis focused on two broad categories of physical indicators. The first was handgrip strength, a commonly used measure of overall muscle health in ageing populations. The second included routine motor tasks such as walking, standing up from a chair, climbing stairs, and coping with fatigue. These measures were examined alongside CASP-12, a validated questionnaire that assesses quality of life by capturing individuals’ sense of control, autonomy, self-realisation, and enjoyment of life.
The findings revealed a striking pattern. Although people with osteoarthritis tended to have weaker grip strength and lower overall quality-of-life scores than those without the condition, grip strength itself was not strongly associated with well-being. Instead, difficulties with everyday movements showed a much closer relationship with reduced quality of life. Tasks that many people take for granted—walking short distances, climbing stairs, rising from a seated position, and managing persistent fatigue—proved to be powerful indicators of how individuals perceive their independence and purpose.
These results suggest that osteoarthritis affects far more than the joints alone. Limitations in daily mobility were closely linked to diminished confidence, reduced autonomy, and lower enjoyment of life. Fatigue, in particular, emerged as one of the strongest predictors of poor well-being, highlighting a symptom that is often under-recognised in osteoarthritis care. The researchers argue that addressing fatigue and functional mobility should be central goals of treatment, rather than secondary concerns overshadowed by pain management alone.
From a clinical and public health perspective, the study offers important practical implications. Simple assessments of everyday movement may provide faster and more meaningful insights into a patient’s quality of life than traditional strength-based tests. The authors suggest that rehabilitation, physiotherapy, and community-based programmes could be more effective if they prioritise improving daily mobility and energy levels. By focusing on how people move through their everyday lives, rather than how strong a single muscle group is, healthcare providers may better support autonomy, dignity, and well-being among the growing global population living with osteoarthritis.
More information: Asima Karim et al, Associations between handgrip strength, motor tasks, and quality of life in older adults with osteoarthritis, European Journal of Applied Physiology. DOI: 10.1007/s00421-025-06082-9
Journal information: European Journal of Applied Physiology Provided by University of Sharjah
