Osteoarthritis is a form of age-related, non-inflammatory, degenerative joint disease. It is characterized by pain, swelling, and bone hyperplasia; osteoarthritis has a high morbidity and high disability rate, which has a significant impact on the quality of life of patients worldwide. Engaging in sports has been demonstrated to reduce the risk of developing obesity, diabetes mellitus, and other metabolic diseases, additionally, it has been shown to enhance muscle quality, stabilize joints, improve motor coordination abilities, reduce pain, and improve joint function in individuals with osteoarthritis, these findings highlight the potential for sports to play an important role in the management of osteoarthritis. In this review, we presented an overview of the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis, provided a summary of advancements in the utilization of sports in the management of osteoarthritis, and discussed the underlying mechanisms and future application limitations, hoping to provide the foundation for the prevention and treatment of osteoarthritis.