Muscle Activation During High and Low Intensity Strength Training in Older Adults With Knee Osteoarthritis

Introduction: Muscle weakness is a common impairment in the knee osteoarthritis (OA) population that is partially due to an impairment in the central nervous systems ability to activate a muscle fully. The effect of resistance training intensities on muscle activation in the knee OA population has not been studied. Therefore the purpose of this study was to compare muscle activation of older adults with knee OA during low intensity versus high intensity resistance training programs over an 18 week period.

Methods: Participants (N=25) were recruited from the Strength Training for Arthritis Trial (START). Participants were randomized into low intensity (30% 1- RM) or high intensity (75% 1-RM) strength training groups. EMG of the vastus lateralis, biceps femoris and gluteus medius were analyzed at baseline, 9 weeks and 18 weeks following training.

Results: Mean activation of the gluteus medius was significantly greater (P=0.028) in the high intensity group at 18 weeks compared to the low intensity group. Mean activation for the biceps femoris was significantly greater (P=0.024) in the high intensity group at 9 weeks compared to the low intensity group. No significance was found for the vastus lateralis.

Conclusion: Rehabilitation efforts should utilize high intensity resistance training to maximize muscle adaptations in the knee OA population

Year	Entry
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Year

Entry

2006

Andriacchi TP, Mündermann A. The role of ambulatory mechanics in the initiation and progression of knee osteoarthritis. Curr Opin Rhuematol. September 2006;18(5):514-518.

2005

Griffin TM, Guilak F. The role of mechanical loading in the onset and progression of osteoarthritis. Exerc Sport Sci Rev. October 2005;33(4):195-200.

2005

Andriacchi TP, Dyrby CO. Interactions between kinematics and loading during walking for the normal and ACL deficient knee. J Biomech. February 2005;38(2):293-298.

1957

Kellgren JH, Lawrence JS. Radiological assessment of osteo-arthrosis. Ann Rheum Dis. December 1957;16(4):494-502.

2001

Sharma L, Song J, Felson DT, Cahue S, Shamiyeh E, Dunlop DD. The role of knee alignment in disease progression and functional decline in knee osteoarthritis. JAMA. July 11, 2001;286(2):188-195.