Objective To review the up-to-date development of overseas cl inical study on exercise therapy for patients with knee osteoarthritis. Methods The cl inical researches of exercise therapy for knee osteoarthritis were summarized by reviewing l iterature concerned in recent years. Results Exercise therapy was extensively used in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis not only in hospital but also in community rehabil itation abroad. The main patterns of exercise therapy included muscle strengthening exercise, aerobic exercise and underwater exercise. It was capable of effectively improving patient’s independent l iving abil ity and l ive qual ity, and postproning the time of surgical intervention. But the long-term efficacy of exercise therapy was still under debate. Conclusion Exercise therapy is an effect method to treat knee osteoarthritis.