GLUCOSAMINE/CHONDROITIN and PHYSICAL THERAPY EFFECTS ON OLDER POPULATION WITH KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS

Inclusion Criteria: * age \> 50 years with radiographic evidence of mild to moderate knee OA (Kellgren Lawrence grade II \& III 20) who met the ACR clinical 21, * radiographic classification criteria or confirmation of mild to moderate radiographic evidence of knee OA from a personal physician * not currently participating in another intervention study Exclusion Criteria: * dementia (Mini-Mental State Examination \[MMSE\]\< 24) * active cancer other than skin cancer * anemia (participants with an hematocrit (HCT)\< 32 (or a hemoglobin below10) were excluded due to possible inability to adequately exercise or the increased potential for increased risk for serious adverse cardiovascular events) * severe renal insufficiency (serum creat\> 2) * hepatic disease