Efeitos do treinamento de força muscular sobre os parâmetros espaço-temporais da marcha em pacientes com osteoartrite de joelho

Abstract

Current evidence shows the benefits of muscle strength training in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA), however, little is known about these effects on the spatio temporal parameters of gait. The aim of this study was to compare the changes of these parameters before and after muscle strength training in patients with KOA. The study was 14 individuals with mild, moderate and severe KOA, who had evaluated the muscle strength of the quadriceps, anterior tibial and hip abductors muscles, through the use of a load cell. The spatio temporal and kinematic parameters of gait were also evaluated, through a 3D system, before and after the physical therapy intervention, which was composed of exercises to strengthen the quadriceps, anterior tibial and hip abductors muscles, being performed 3 times a week for 8 weeks. The results were positive regarding the increase in strength of all muscle groups, as well as some angular parameters, especially the increase in the range of motion in the knee and ankle of the most affected limb. The results also revealed that there was an increase in the spatio temporal parameters, except for the cadence and time of the stride that did not change significantly. Thus, the study concludes that muscle strengthening was able to increase muscle strength and angular and spatio-temporal gait parameters, improving the ability of individuals with KOA to perform it.