INTRODUCTION: The aim was to investigate the effectiveness and safety of a physical training programme in patients with severe osteoarthritis of the knees. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-five patients participated in this randomised clinical trial with a blind observer. Intervention consisted in training twice a week for three months and focused on general fitness, balance, co-ordination, and muscle strength. Follow-up was performed at 3 and 12 months. The recorded parameters were muscle strength, algofunctional index, pain, walking speed, and clinical findings. RESULTS: At three months follow-up, muscle strength had improved in the intervention group. By one year, pain at night had decreased, but the number of palpable knee joint effusions had increased. CONCLUSION: A general physical training programme appears to be beneficial to patients with osteoarthritis of the knees, but further investigation of the safety of such a programme is called for.

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