INTRODUCTION:

Knee osteoarthritis is highly prevalent chronic disease in India, as there is increase in ageing Population¹. Osteoarthritis is characterized by inflammation and leads to destruction of articular cartilage & joints². Knee pain, stiffness, decreased muscle strength and proprioception deficits are the major symptoms associated with knee osteoarthritis in individuals³. There is multifactorial cause for OA such as Age, female gender, obesity, physical labor, occupational knee bending, family history, joint damage, vitamin D deficiency are significant risk factors for Osteoarthritis⁴. Knee OA accounts for pain and functional disability in 19.2 27.8% of people aged >45⁵. osteoarthritis is common over 46-60 years of age⁵. Osteoarthritis is more likely to be prone in women than in men and it increases the prevalence, incidence, severity after menopause occurring between the age of 45-60 yrs⁵. Globally knee osteoarthritis is 4th most significant causes of incapability in women and 8th in men⁶. The prevalence of knee osteoarthritis in India is 28.7% as reported by community based cross-sectional study conducted in selected geographical areas in India⁶. 14 Physically inactivity simply means an individual is not getting enough regular aerobic exercise or any movement that can raise the heart rate significantly for an extended period of time⁶. By doing physical activity we can reduce pain, Weight control, improve sleep, improve quality of life, Improve function and mobility⁷. physical inactivity has an adverse effect on human metabolism, cardiac output, physical function and wellbeing⁷. Recent technology advancements have reduced the physical demands of day-to-day activities and going to work places. Automation has made more time available for leisure pursuits. Unfortunately, most of the new found leisure time is used for sedentary pursuits, whereas human body is designed for strenuous physical activity. This has resulted in the decline of functional ability of the human body⁷. Exercise scientist & health professionals strongly believe that, this increased physical inactivity leads to rise in incidence of several degenerative the diseases such as osteoarthritis⁷. In India, osteoarthritis scores top 5 chronic disease, adult population affect about 4-6% of osteoarthritis⁷. It has been reported that physical inactivity and sedentary behavior have become a global problem⁸. The risk factors of a sedentary life-style is the drastic reduction in physical exertion has led to many physical, mental and emotional health problems⁸. inactive people lose the basic strength and flexibility for daily activities. As a result, many lose their independence and have poorer mental health⁸. 15 Knee OA is highly prevalent in patients with Physically inactivity highlighting the importance of investigating the presence of knee OA in each patient with Physically inactivity. The association of knee OA with patient age and duration of Physically inactivity indicates the need for early intervention, and the significant association with co-morbidities suggests the inclusive management of co morbidities⁹. Thus, the present study has planned with the prevalence of knee osteoarthritis and to determine whether the individual is physically active or inactive.

METHOD:

Total number of 154 individuals were included in the study. The individuals were selected as per the inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria for this study. The Godin Leisure - time Exercise questionnaire was administered to individuals. Individuals were instructed to read each of the 3 types of the exercise and indicate their weekly leisure-time activity score on a scale of 24 or more (Active) 14 to 23 (Moderatly Active) and less than 14 (Insufficiently active/Sedentary) Godin Leisure - time Exercise questionnaire. Completed Godin Leisure - time Exercise questionnaires were collected from individuals. The outcome measures were used to assess for knee pain in individuals with physical inactivity on WOMAC scale of score 0(none),1(slight)2, (moderate)3, (very),4 (extremely) pain. Completed WOMAC scale was collected from individuals. Calculated the responses to the WOMAC scale and Godin Leisure - time Exercise Questionnaire. The data obtained were analysed using the statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 14 software.

Search Strategy:

The data presented in the Figure.no-01 shows the age of the samples varied from 41 -80 years, Majority of the samples i.e 69 (42.85%) were aged between 40 to 50 yrs followed by 42 (27.27%) were aged from 51 to 60 years while 14 (09.09%) reported to be age between 61 to 70 and the least 12 (07.79%) were aged between 71 to 80 yrs.

Figure.no-01: Distribution of Samples according to their Age.

The data presented in the Figure.no-02 reveals, Majority of the samples i.e 93 (60.38%) were Females and 61 (39.61%) were Male

Figure.no-02: Distribution of Samples according to their Gender.

WOMAC:

The data presented in the Figure.no-03 reveals, Majority of the samples i.e 150 (97.40%) reported to have suffered from severe pain arising from to OA followed by 04 (02.59%) reported to have suffered from Moderate pain arising from OA.

Figure.no-03: Distribution of Samples according to their WOMAC score.

Godin-Leisure:

The data presented in the Figure.no-04 reveals, Majority of the samples i.e 148 (96.10%) reported to have in-sufficient physical activity followed by 06 (03.89%) reported to have better scores indicating Active.

Figure.no-04: Distribution of Samples according to their Godin-Leisure score

Correlation coefficient of Mean WOMAC scores and Godin-Leisure scores among Samples:

The data presented Figure.no-05 shows that there is no correlation between WOMAC scores and Godin-Leisure scores, as the calculated Pearson’s ‘r’ value is lower than the table value and the P-Value is higher than 0.05. Hence it is inferred no co-relation between the WOMAC and Godin-Leisure scores among the samples selected from Latur City.

Figure.no-05: co-relation between the WOMAC and Godin-Leisure scores

DISCUSSION:

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic degenerative joint disorder and one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. Physical inactivity has been recognized as a major risk factor for both the onset and progression of OA, as it contributes to reduced joint mobility, muscle weakness, and functional limitations. Physiotherapists play a crucial role in addressing these challenges, as understanding the prevalence of OA among physically inactive populations enables them to develop targeted rehabilitation strategies. By doing physical activity we can reduce pain, Weight control, improve sleep, improve quality of life, Improve function and mobility. physical inactivity has an adverse effect on human metabolism, cardiac output, physical function and well-being This research was conducted to examine the percentage of physical inactivity and to allow physiotherapists to incorporate osteoarthritis (OA) management strategies into rehabilitation programs. By recognizing physical inactivity as a common issue, therapists can tailor treatment plans to address barriers to recovery more effectively. The study aimed to determine the prevalence of osteoarthritis among physically inactive individuals aged above 40 years. A total of 154 participants, both male and female, were included in the study. Data were collected using questionnaires based on the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and the Godin-Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire. In our study, the majority of participants were between 41–50 years of age (42%, n=66), while the smallest proportion was in the 71–80 years age group (7.7%, n=12). Gender distribution revealed that females constituted the majority (60.38%, n=93), while males accounted for 39.61% (n=61). The prevalence of osteoarthritis among physically inactive individuals was found to be 96.10% (n=148).

This study demonstrates an alarmingly high prevalence of osteoarthritis among physically inactive individuals above the age of 40 years, with women showing greater vulnerability compared to men. The findings emphasize the need for early screening, gender-sensitive interventions, and the incorporation of physical activity promotion into rehabilitation programs. Although inactivity did not show a direct correlation with pain levels in this study, addressing inactivity remains a critical strategy for preventing disease progression and improving functional outcomes in osteoarthritis management. The study was conducted find out the prevalence rate of Osteoarthritis among Physically in-active individuals who are aged 40 years. The present study includes 154 samples which includes both male and female, Samples responded to the questionnaires which was based on WOMAC and Godin-Leisure scales. In our study, Majority samples belonged to the age category of 40 to 50 years which constituted around 42 % (66) and the least belonged to the age group of 71 years to 80 years with 7.7 % (12), whole Gender wise majority belonged to Female gender with 60.38 % (93) and Male constituted 39.61 %(61). The prevalence rate of Osteoarthritis was found to be 96.10 % (148) among the physically in-active individuals. Female were more prevalent to develop Osteo-artrihitis compared to male counterparts with whooping rate of 99%, while 40 to 50 years were more likely to develop OA with 42 % (64) prevalence rate. Karl Pearson’s ‘r’ was compited to find co-relation between Physical inactivity (Godin-Lesiure rool) and Pain (WOMAC tool), the results showed no co-relation berween as the calculated ‘r’ value was lower than the table valuce and P-value was higher than the 0.05.

CONCLUSION:

Study found that the prevalence rate of Osteoarthritis was found to be 96.10 % (154) among the physically in-active individuals. Both WOMAC and Godin Leisure - time Exercise Questionnaire showed no correlation in between.

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Received on 14.10.2025 Revised on 10.11.2025

Accepted on 05.12.2025 Published on 14.02.2026

Available online from February 18, 2026

Research J. Science and Tech. 2026; 18(1):43-47.

DOI: 10.52711/2349-2988.2026.00007

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