The Effect of Resistance Training on Static Balance and Pain in Elderly Women with Varus Knee and Osteoarthritis by Using Elastic Band

With increasing the elderly population, physical disability increases as well. In this regard, hygiene, control and social systems devote a lot of attention to such issues. Some prevalent diseases in elderly population include a decrease in balance, postural control disorders, neuromuscular function, muscular mass, power, resistance, movement and joint instability. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of resistance training on static balance and pain in elderly women with osteoarthritis and varus knee by using Elastic band for 8 weeks.
Twenty-four women who have been diagnosed by osteoarthritis and varus knee with average age of (50, 60), took part in this study voluntarily and were divided into 2 groups randomly. In order to evaluate balance, BIODEX balance system was applied and levels of pain were measured by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Experimental group performed resistance training for 8 weeks, 3 days in a week by elastic band. For statistical analysis and synthesis, dependent and independent T student tests were applied.
Results indicated that no remarkable changes occurred in static balance test between experimental and control groups (p=0.147), however, meaningful changes were observed in pain test between experimental and control groups (p=0.001).
Resistance training course with elastic band can influence knee pain, however, it has no effect on static balance. Moreover, resistance training with elastic band can be a useful method for reducing pain in knee joint of elderly women who suffer from osteoarthritis and varus knee.