International Journal of Human Movement and Sports Sciences Vol. 7(1), pp. 5 - 11
DOI: 10.13189/saj.2019.070102
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Exercise Acutely Improves Dynamic Balance in Individuals with Unilateral Knee Osteoarthritis

Emma C. Goddard , James P. Dickey ^*
School of Kinesiology, Western University, Canada

ABSTRACT

Exercise is often used to manage knee osteoarthritis (OA). However, OA leads to balance impairments which may lead to injury. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of exercise on dynamic balance of individuals with unilateral knee OA. On one occasion, twenty participants with unilateral knee OA completed the star excursion balance test (SEBT) in all eight directions (anterior, anteromedial, medial, posteromedial, posterior, posterolateral, lateral, and anterolateral) on both affected and unaffected limbs, before and after a supervised exercise program. The exercise program consisted of 30 minutes of stretching and strengthening of the knee flexors and extensors. The SEBT was quantified as the composite score from all 8 directions. Participants also completed a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) of pain before and after exercise. A two-way repeated-measures ANOVA revealed no significant interaction nor difference between affected and unaffected sides for SEBT. There was significant improvement in SEBT composite score after exercise (7% and 5% post exercise for the affected and unaffected limbs respectively). VAS was not significantly different before and after exercise. These results suggest that a single bout of exercise improves acute dynamic balance performance in both affected and unaffected limbs in individuals with unilateral knee OA.

KEYWORDS
Biomechanics, Knee Osteoarthritis, Balance, Exercise, Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT)

Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Emma C. Goddard , James P. Dickey , "Exercise Acutely Improves Dynamic Balance in Individuals with Unilateral Knee Osteoarthritis," International Journal of Human Movement and Sports Sciences, Vol. 7, No. 1, pp. 5 - 11, 2019. DOI: 10.13189/saj.2019.070102.

(b). APA Format:
Emma C. Goddard , James P. Dickey (2019). Exercise Acutely Improves Dynamic Balance in Individuals with Unilateral Knee Osteoarthritis. International Journal of Human Movement and Sports Sciences, 7(1), 5 - 11. DOI: 10.13189/saj.2019.070102.