To compare sagittal walking gait biomechanics between participants with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) who increased quadriceps strength following a lower-extremity strengthening intervention (responders) and those who did not increase strength following the same strengthening protocol (non-responders) both at baseline and following the lower extremity strengthening protocol.
Fifty-three participants with radiographic KOA (47% female, 62.3 ± 7.1 years, BMI = 28.5 ± 3.9 kg/m
A significant group x time interaction for KFA demonstrated greater KFA in the first half of stance at baseline and greater knee extension in the second half of stance at 4-weeks in responders compared to non-responders. There was no significant group x time interaction for vGRF or internal KEM.
Quadriceps strengthening may be used to stimulate small changes in KFA in individuals with KOA.