COMPARISON OF THE CONCENTRIC TORQUE OF KNEE MUSCLES AND TIMED-WALKING TEST IN HEALTHY AND LOW GRADE TIBIOFEMORAL OSTEOARTHRITIS

Although many studies provide insight into the possible muscle strength and functionaldeficits in patients with osteoarthritis (oa), they had not controlled or matched the subjects for variousvariables the aim of study was to investigate and compare the concentric torque of quadriceps andhamstring muscles and timed-walking test in two groups. thus, one group of healthy subjects and onegroup of patients with low grade of tibiofemoral oa were selected. concentric torque of quadricepsand hamstring were measured in both groups. besides, pain measurement, timed-walking test, rangeof motion and the muscle bulk of thigh were assessed in both groups. the independent t-test revealedsignificant differences between the two groups with regard to concentric torques and timed-walkingtest. however, no significant difference in range of motion and the muscle bulk was seen. in conclusion,patients with low grade of osteoarthritis and minimum clinical signs had weaker muscles and functionallimitation in comparison with the matched healthy individuals.