Gait and Fatigue in Response to Walking in Knee Osteoarthritis

• Kathleen Downs, Exercise Science, University of Delaware

• Jocelyn Hafer, KAAP, University of Delaware
• , , University of Delaware

Knee Osteoarthritis (OA) affects more than 19% of adults aged 65 and older. Individuals with knee OA have altered gait mechanics, such as less joint range of motion compared to their healthy peers. Adults with knee OA also have an increased risk of falls, which may be linked to their altered gait patterns. Those with knee OA fatigue more easily following exercise, which may further amplify alterations in gait and potentially increase risk of falling. It is not fully understood how those with knee OA respond to fatigue compared to healthy peers. The purpose of this study was to examine whether changes in gait in response to walking exercise differ between older adults with and without knee OA. We recruited 10 individuals (5 without/5 with knee OA) for this analysis. They completed muscle power testing of their knee extensor muscles before and after a 34-minute walk to calculate fatigue level (fatigue level=post-pre power). Gait analysis using standard motion capture techniques was done during the 1st and 34th minute of the 34-minute walk to examine changes in joint kinetics and knee angles due to the walk. A 2-way ANOVA was used to assess the effect of group (knee OA vs older adult), time (1st vs 34th minute), and the interaction of group x time. There were no significant group, time, or interaction effects; however, there was a trend towards greater fatigue in the knee OA group. The absence of changes in gait in the presence of fatigue suggests that alterations in gait mechanics from fatigue may not be the primary factor responsible for increased risk of falls in those with knee OA. Future studies should look at the relationship between fatigue and balance control to better understand the risk of falling in those with knee OA.