Nonlinear relationship between isokinetic muscle strength and activity limitations in patients with knee osteoarthritis: Results of the Amsterdam-Osteoarthritis cohort
Lisa M. Edelaar, Jaap H. van Dieën , Martin van der Esch, Leo D. Roorda, Joost Dekker, Willem F. Lems, Marike van der Leeden
Amsterdam Rehabilitation Research Center , Reade, 1056AB Amsterdam, The Netherlands: E-mail: l.edelaar@reade.nl
DOI: 10.2340/16501977-2252
Lay Abstract
Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee joint is a leading cause of activity limitations and is often associated with muscle weakness. Muscle strength of the upper leg is needed to perform activities such as raising from a chair and stair climbing. The relationship between muscle strength and activity limitations has been assumed to be linear. However, daily activities likely require only a certain level of muscle strength and strength gains above this level would not improve physical functioning. Therefore, we investigated the relationship between muscle strength and activity limitations in 562 patients with knee OA of the Amsterdam-Osteoarthritis cohort. Results showed that there was indeed a threshold for muscle strength: patients with muscle strength below the threshold showed more activity limitations. This indicates that patients with muscle strength below the threshold will likely benefit more from muscle strength training to reduce activity limitations than patients with muscle strength above the threshold.
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