Publication
Title
Biomechanical and neuromuscular adaptations during the landing phase of a stepping-down task in patients with early or established knee osteoarthritis
Author
Abstract
Background To compare the knee joint kinematics, kinetics and EMG activity patterns during a stepping-down task in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) with control subjects. Methods 33 women with knee OA (early OA, n = 14; established OA n = 19) and 14 female control subjects performed a stepping-down task from a 20 cm step. Knee joint kinematics, kinetics and EMG activity were recorded on the stepping-down leg during the loading phase. Results During the stepping-down task patients with established knee OA showed greater normalized medial hamstrings activity (p = 0.034) and greater vastus lateralis-medial hamstrings co-contraction (p = 0.012) than controls. Greater vastus medialis-medial hamstrings co-contraction was found in patients with established OA compared to control subjects (p = 0.040) and to patients with early OA (p = 0.023). Self-reported knee instability was reported in 7% and 32% of the patients with early and established OA, respectively. Conclusions The greater EMG co-activity found in established OA might suggest a less efficient use of knee muscles or an attempt to compensate for greater knee laxity usually present in patients with established OA. In the early stage of the disease, the biomechanical and neuromuscular control of stepping-down is not altered compared to healthy controls.
Language
English
Source (journal)
The knee. - Oxford
Publication
Oxford : 2016
ISSN
0968-0160
DOI
10.1016/J.KNEE.2016.02.002
Volume/pages
23 :3 (2016) , p. 367-375
ISI
000378963600006
Pubmed ID
26922798
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 31.03.2016
Last edited 09.10.2023
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