The Relationship Between Gait Speed and Dynamic Stability Following a 4-week Intervention in Knee Osteoarthritis Patients

The Relationship Between Gait Speed and Dynamic Stability Following a 4-week Intervention in Knee Osteoarthritis Patients Public Deposited

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Vredeveld, Kayla
- Affiliation: College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Exercise and Sport Science

Abstract

PURPOSE: This study explored the relationship of both gait speed and body composition to gait stability following knee osteoarthritis (KOA) treatment. METHODS: 53 diagnosed KOA patients completed 4 weeks of therapeutic rehabilitation with testing sessions immediately before and after. Testing assessed self-reported disability, body composition, muscle function, and gait mechanics. Paired sample t-tests were completed, followed by correlations comparing gait speed, center of pressure, and ground reaction forces with baseline and change score values. RESULTS: 20 meter gait speed significantly increased following intervention, while pain and self-reported function scores improved. Ground reaction forces showed increased acceleration and deceleration in the involved limb. Preliminary data showed correlation between lean mass and mediolateral center of pressure displacement. CONCLUSIONS: Current KOA treatments are able to not only improve function through increased walking speed, but also improve the ability to load the limb with greater ground reaction forces. Body composition data warrants further exploration.

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