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Abreu D.1, Brunelli R.1, Silva P.2, Santos P.1, Nogueira-Barbosa M.3, Rennó A.C.4
1University of São Paulo, Physical Therapy, Biomechanics, Medicine and Rehabilitation of the Locomotor System, Ribeirao Preto, Brazil, 2Rehabilitation Integrated Center of the State Hospital of Ribeirão Preto, Gerontology, Ribeirao Preto, Brazil, 3University of São Paulo, Division of Radiology of the Internal Medicine Department, Ribeirao Preto, Brazil, 4Federal University of São Paulo - Unifesp, Biosciences, Santos, Brazil
Background: Osteoarthritis is a chronic degenerative disease that causes change in the articular cartilage, the most common musculoskeletal disease worldwide. Symptoms of knee OA are related to pain joint, loss of power and muscle strength of the lower limbs and decreased aerobic capacity.
Purpose: To evaluate the muscle fatigue index in individuals with bilateral knee osteoarthritis (KOA) after intervention with physical exercise.
Methods: Twenty eight individuals (45-75 years old) of both sexes with bilateral KOA grades I-III according to the classification of Kellgren and Lawrence were randomized and divided into 2 groups: Control Group (CG; n=14) = with KOA and without treatment and Exercise Group (GE; n=14) = with KOA that received treatment with physical exercise. The evaluation was performed in isokinetic Biodex equipment, where individuals performed 15 contractions submaximal concentric (180°/s). The fatigue index (%) was calculated by (%) = 100 [(work last 5 repetitions/work first repetitions) x 100]. The physical exercises were performed twice a week for two months (15 sections), supervised by physiotherapist and consisted of strengthening exercises of the lower limbs, functional exercises and aerobic exercise, totalizing 60 minutes per session. After 2 months, both groups were reevaluated. The normality test Shapiro-Wilk, followed by T test and Mann-Whitney test were used. The significance level was set at 0.05.
Results: At baseline, the lower limb fatigue index of CG was 9.72% (± 10.71) in the right and 7.85% (± 15.86) in the left. For EG the average of right lower limb fatigue index was 15.23% (± 12.85) and the left lower limb was 12.13% (± 21.11). After 2 months, CG presented the fatigue index of right lower limb of 12.34% (± 18.22) and left lower limb of 8.58% (± 22.94). After the intervention, the EG showed the fatigue index of right lower limb of 18.39% (± 16.19) and the left lower limb of 9.12% (± 21.07). No significant difference was observed between groups.
Conclusion(s): There was no significant difference in the fatigue index after intervention with exercises and the results can be justified by the fact that the exercise program was not specific for endurance training.
Implications: The multimodal exercise protocol, proposed in this study, which does not include endurance muscle exercises did not interfere in fatigue index of these individuals.
Funding acknowledgements: The São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP), Brazil. Process number 2013/18319-3
Topic: Disability & rehabilitation
Ethics approval: Committee of Ethics of the Clinical Hospital, Medicine School of Ribeirão Preto. Number 11905813.0.0000.5440
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
