Muscle function, physical function, and gait in older women with and without knee osteoarthritis

Renata Wolf,Fernanda De Mattos,Paulo Cesar Barauce Bento,Angélica Lodovico,Gleber Pereira

doi:10.1590/s1980-657420210015020

Renata Wolf, Fernanda De Mattos + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/s1980-657420210015020

Copy DOI

Abstract

Abstract Aim: To compare muscle function of knee extensors, gait parameters, and physical function in older women with and without knee osteoarthritis (KOA) and to associate these parameters to the KOA incidence in this population. Methods: Sixteen older women with KOA (66.9 ± 5.5 years; 74.9 ± 10.0 kg; 157.9 ± 0.9 cm; 30.2 ± 5.0 kg/m2) and fourteen healthy counterparts (control group: CG; 68.8 ± 5.8 years; 68.9 ± 10.5 kg; 158 ± 0.06 cm; 27.4 ± 4.0 kg/m2) participated in this study. Muscle function, physical function, and gait parameters were evaluated in both groups. The Western Ontario and McMaster Index (WOMAC) questionnaire was answered only by the KOA group. A correlation was performed to verify if KOA incidence was associated with muscle function, physical function, and gait parameters. Results: KOA group showed lower peak torque at 60°/s (30%; p = 0.003) and 180°/s (37%; p < 0.001), greater acceleration time at 60°/s (382%; p < 0.001), lower cadence (12.2%; p = 0.002), slower gait speed (19.5%; p < 0.001) and greater stride time (12.5%; p = 0.001) than CG group. However, there was no difference between groups in physical function (p < 0.0045). The KOA incidence presented a negative correlation with peak torque (rho = −0.602; p < 0.001), cadence (rho = −0.533; p = 0.002), gait speed (rho = −0.633; p < 0.001), stride length (rho = −0.517; p = 0.003) and a positive correlation with stride time (rho = 0.533; p = 0.002) and acceleration time (rho = 0.655; p < 0.001). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that knee osteoarthritis may impair the function of the knee extensors muscles and gait parameters. An association between the ability to produce force rapidly and gait speed with the KOA incidence in older women was also observed.

Highlights

The prevalence of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) increases with age, and it is the most common joint disease that causes mobility limitations[1]
Our findings suggest that knee osteoarthritis may impair the function of the knee extensors muscles and gait parameters
There was a significant difference in peak torque at 60°/s (t = −3.290; = 0.003) and at 180°/s (t = −3.713; p = 0.001), in which CG presented greater peak toque at both velocities compared to KOA (60°/s: 30%; d = −1.20; 180°/s: 37%; d = −1.30)

Summary

Introduction

The prevalence of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) increases with age, and it is the most common joint disease that causes mobility limitations[1]. Older women are more likely to develop KOA than men[2], and decreased muscle quadriceps strength has been associated with increased pain, cartilage loss, and reduced physical function in this population compared to healthy age-matched controls[3,4,5]. The decline in quadriceps muscle contractile velocity may occur before its strength reduction, deteriorating functional performance in the early stages of senescence[14,15]. Acceleration time, defined as “the time required to accelerate to a preset dynamometer speed,” provides valuable information regarding muscular capacity to produce maximal muscle action quickly[16]. It may be associated with the decline in the ability to perform activities of daily living. KOA incidence induces to nine times the high probability of having a faster decline in gait speed, approximately 2.5% per year[19]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion