reduced-pulmonary-function-association-with-abnormal-muscle

Reduced Pulmonary Function Association with Abnormal Muscle Activation with Knee Osteoarthritis and Increased Cardiovascular Disease Risk

This study aimed to explore the cardiopulmonary function, physical activity, and activation of major lower-limb muscles in individuals with knee ...

Stair ascent and descent require complex integration between sensory and motor systems; individuals with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) have an elevated risk for falls and fall injuries, which may be in part due to poor dynamic postural control during locomotion. Tai chi exercise has been shown to reduce fall risks in the ageing population and is recommended as one of the non-pharmocological therapies for people with KOA. However, neuromuscular mechanisms underlying the benefits of tai chi for persons with KOA are not clearly understood. Postural control deficits in performing a primary motor task may be more pronounced when required to simultaneously attend to a cognitive task. This single-blind, parallel design randomised controlled trial (RCT) aims to evaluate the effects of a 12-week tai chi programme versus balance and postural control training on neuromechanical characteristics during dual-task stair negotiation.

Effects of tai chi on postural control during dual-task stair negotiation in knee osteoarthritis: a randomised controlled trial protocol.

Poor balance is one of the risk factors for falls in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA), which is related to the symptoms. Electroacupuncture (EA) is one of the traditional Chinese conservative methods commonly used to improve the symptoms in patients with KOA.

The Effect of Electroacupuncture on Dynamic Balance during Stair Climbing for Elderly Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis.

 Stand-to-sit task is an important daily function, but there is a lack of research evidence on whether knee osteoarthritis (knee OA) affects the postural balance during the task. This study aimed to compare individuals with knee OA and asymptomatic controls in postural balance and identify kinematic and lower extremity muscle activity characteristics in individuals with knee OA during the stand-to-sit task.  In total, 30 individuals with knee OA and 30 age-matched asymptomatic controls performed the 30-s Chair Stand Test (30sCST) at self-selected speeds. Motion analysis data and surface electromyography (sEMG) were collected while participants performed the 30sCST. To quantify postural balance, the displacement of the center of mass (CoM) and the peak instantaneous velocity of the CoM were calculated. The kinematic data included forward lean angles of the trunk and pelvic, range of motion (RoM) of the hip, knee, and ankle joints in the sagittal plane. The averaged activation levels of gluteus maximus, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, rectus femoris, biceps femoris (BF), tibialis anterior (TA), and medial head of gastrocnemius muscles were indicated by the normalized root mean square amplitudes.  Compared with the asymptomatic control group, the knee OA group prolonged the duration of the stand-to-sit task, demonstrated significantly larger CoM displacement and peak instantaneous CoM velocity in the anterior-posterior direction, reduced ankle dorsiflexion RoM, greater anterior pelvic tilt RoM, and lower quadriceps femoris and muscles activation level coupled with higher BF muscle activation level during the stand-to-sit task.  This study indicates that individuals with knee OA adopt greater pelvic forward lean RoM and higher BF muscle activation level during the stand-to-sit task. However, these individuals exist greater CoM excursion in the anterior-posterior direction and take more time to complete the task. This daily functional activity should be added to the rehabilitation goals for individuals with knee OA. The knee OA group performs reduced ankle dorsiflexion RoM, quadriceps femoris, and TA activation deficit. In the future, the rehabilitation programs targeting these impairments could be beneficial for restoring the functional transfer in individuals with knee OA.

Postural Balance in Individuals With Knee Osteoarthritis During Stand-to-Sit Task.

 Individuals with knee osteoarthritis are at higher risk for falls during transitions between floor and stair walking due to their reduced lower extremity function. However, the adjust gait characteristics of knee osteoarthritis subjects for dealing with stair transitions have not been explored. We aimed to investigate gait strategies in individuals with knee osteoarthritis compared to age-matched individuals without knee OA during the transition between walking on floor and stairs.  Gait of 30 individuals with knee osteoarthritis and 30 individuals without knee osteoarthritis during floor-to-stair and stair-to-floor walking transitions were accessed using a 3D motion capture system. Foot-tread clearance, and angles of lower extremity joints and trunk at Foot-tread clearance timepoint were analyzed by using biomechanical software (Visual 3D).  Compared with asymptomatic control group, the knee osteoarthritis group demonstrated no difference in vertical Foot-tread clearance and horizontal Foot-tread clearance during stair transitions. However, ankle dorsiflexion ( = 0.01) decreased, hip flexion ( = 0.02) and trunk lateral tilt ( = 0.02) increased in knee osteoarthritis group during the stair ascent transition. Moreover, trunk lateral tilt to the support side ( = 0.003) and pelvic rotation ( = 0.03) increased, while hip abduction of the swing leg ( = 0.03) decreased during the stair descent transition in individuals with knee osteoarthritis.  Increased trunk lateral tilt and altered angle of hip may be a strategy utilized by individuals with knee OA to increase the foot clearance ability and compensate for the disease-related loss of lower extremity strength, range of motion, and balance. However, compensatory manifestations, such as the increased lateral tilt of the trunk and movement of the gravity center may enhance the risk of falls and result in more abnormal knee joint loading.

Gait strategies for individuals with knee osteoarthritis when transitioning between floor and stair walking.

This study evaluates the efficacy of Tai Chi versus balance training on functional performance and postural control during sit and stand transitions in individuals with knee osteoarthritis.

Comparative efficacy of Tai Chi versus balance training on functional performance and postural control during sit and stand transitions in individuals with knee osteoarthritis: A randomized trial.

Article	Year
Effects of tai chi on postural control during dual-task stair negotiation in knee osteoarthritis: a randomised controlled trial protocol. BMJ open\| PubMed ID: 31900273	2020
The Effect of Electroacupuncture on Dynamic Balance during Stair Climbing for Elderly Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM\| PubMed ID: 32855648	2020
Postural Balance in Individuals With Knee Osteoarthritis During Stand-to-Sit Task. Frontiers in human neuroscience\| PubMed ID: 34803639	2021
Gait strategies for individuals with knee osteoarthritis when transitioning between floor and stair walking. Frontiers in physiology\| PubMed ID: 36760532	2023
Comparative efficacy of Tai Chi versus balance training on functional performance and postural control during sit and stand transitions in individuals with knee osteoarthritis: A randomized ... Journal of science and medicine in sport\| PubMed ID: 41111041	2025

Shengxing FU

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