TITLE:
The Effects of Knee Joint Pain and Disorders on Knee Extension Strength and Walking Ability in the Female Elderly
AUTHORS:
Hiroki Sugiura, Shinichi Demura
KEYWORDS:
Knee Joint Pain; Knee Joint Disorder; Knee Extension Strength; Gait; Female Elderly
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Physical Education,
Vol.2 No.4,
November
21,
2012
ABSTRACT: This study examines the differences in leg strength and walking ability among groups with different knee problems. The participants were 328 elderly females (60 - 94 years old; mean age 76.1 years; SD = 6.2) who were classified into three groups: those without knee pain or a knee disorder, those with knee pain, and those with a knee disorder. The subjects took knee extension strength and 12 meter maximum effort walk tests. Knee extension strength was significantly lower in the groups with knee pain and a knee disorder than in the group without pain or a knee disorder. Walking speed was significantly slower in the group with a knee disorder than in the other two groups. In conclusion, the female elderly with knee pain or a knee disorder are inferior in knee extension strength and walking ability. In addition, the elderly with a knee disorder are inferior in walking ability to the elderly with knee pain.