Stepping strategy used to recover balance during an induced fall is associated with impaired function and strength in people with knee osteoarthritis.
OBJECTIVE
We investigated differences in function, strength and pain in those with knee osteoarthritis (OA) who responded with a single step compared to multiple steps during balance recovery during an induced forward fall.


METHODS
The stepping response of 24 participants with knee OA (50% female, age 68.6 ± 6.2 years) as they recovered balance from an induced forward fall was recorded. Participants were grouped based on their stepping response as single-stepper and multi-stepper. Comparison was made between the groups for functional and strength tests and self-reported pain, function, quality of life, fear of falls and physical activity.


RESULTS
Fourteen of the participants (58%) responded with a multiple step response. Multiple steppers demonstrated greater time for the up and go (P = 0.01), the stair climb tests (P = 0.05), as well as reduced distance during the 2 min walk test (P = 0.001) and reduced isokinetic knee extension strength (P = 0.02).


CONCLUSIONS
Those who demonstrated multiple step response had impaired function, reduced strength and were less physically active. Given the high prevalence of falls in people with knee OA, further studies are required to better understand the ability of people with knee OA to respond and avoid falls.
Institute of Sport, Exercise and Active Living (ISEAL), Victoria University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Pazit
P
Levinger
Institute of Sport, Exercise and Active Living (ISEAL), Victoria University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Calum
C
Downie
Institute of Sport, Exercise and Active Living (ISEAL), Victoria University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Hanatsu
H
Nagano
Institute of Sport, Exercise and Active Living (ISEAL), Victoria University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Aaron
A
Petersen
Institute of Sport, Exercise and Active Living (ISEAL), Victoria University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Alan
A
Hayes
Institute for Health & Ageing, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Kerrie M
KM
Sanders
Faculty of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Flavia
F
Cicuttini
Institute of Sport, Exercise and Active Living (ISEAL), Victoria University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Rezaul
R
Begg
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000368:Aged; D018771:Arthralgia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D004856:Postural Balance; D020127:Recovery of Function; D000070857:Walk Test
balance recovery; falls; osteoarthritis