Comparison of the knee muscles isometric strength and functional performance between healthy and knee arthritis men

Background: The risk of arthritis increases with age. Knee arthritis causes pain and inflammation of this joint. These side effects can possibly affect muscle strength and performance. Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the knee flexor and extensor muscles isometric strength and functional performance between healthy and knee arthritis men. Methods: This case-control study was conducted in Isfahan (2015) on knee arthritis male patients (case group, n=22) and healthy male (control group, n=22). The isometric strength of knee flexor and extensor muscles was measured by dynamometer. Functional ability was assessed with using stair ascending and descending, 5 time sit-to-stand and timed up and go tests. Data were analyzed by independent t test. Findings: Mean age of patients and control groups were 52.6±6.27 and 49.8±4.19, respectively. The knee flexor and extensor muscles strength in patients was significantly less than healthy peoples (P< 0.001). Functional performance of patients in stair ascending and descending (P=0.001), 5 time sit-to-stand (P< 0.001) and timed up and go (P<0.001) tests were significantly less than healthy group. Conclusion: Weaker knee muscle strength and functional performance in patients with knee osteoarthritis compared with healthy adults show that rehabilitation and sports medicine professionals should consider special exercises for improving knee flexor and extensor muscles strength and functional performance in designing treatment protocols for these cases.