Comparison of parameters between walking at normal and the fastest rates in patients with knee osteoarthritis

Abstract

To clarify the characteristics of walking in 20 patients (all female, mean age:64.0±7.0)with knee osteoarthritis, we compared parameters between walking at normal and the fastest rates. During the fastest walking, there were significant increases in the stride and step lengths as well as the walking speed (p<0.01), and significant decreases in the toe-out and step angles (p<0.05). In addition, the stance and double supporting times significantly decreased (p<0.01). However, the effect sizes of increases in the stride and step lengths to increase the walking speed were medium (Δ=0.69 for both), while those of decreases in the stance and double supporting times were large (Δ=­1.62 and ­1.14, respectively). These results suggest that patients with knee osteoarthritistrytowalkfast by decreasing the stance and double supporting times rather than by increasing the stride and step lengths.