The effect of core stability and strength training on knee pain and function in elderly women with osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common chronic condition of the joints. Osteoarthritis can affect any joint, but it occurs most often in knees, hips, lower back and neck. The purpose of this experimental pretest-posttest study was to determine the effect of eight weeks' core stability and strength training on knee pain and function in elderly women with osteoarthritis.

Thirty-six elderly women with osteoarthritis (mean age, 64/5 ± 4/50 years and mean weight of 70/71 ± 10/52, mean height 156/34 ± 6/12) were participated and randomly divided into three equal groups (n=12): strength training program, core stabilization training and control groups. Strength training, core stabilization training groups received especial training for eight weeks and control group no received any training. To collect the data, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), functional questionnaire (WOMAC) body composition and dynamometer were used.  Normality of Data and homogeneity was tested by Shapiro–Wilk test. Descriptive statistics, two way ANOVA, paired sample t test and the bonferroni test were used to analyze the hypotheses. (P ≤ 0.05).

The results showed that, there was significant effect of eight weeks' exercises of core stability on, increase muscle strength (d=0.80, p=0.002) and function (d=0.73, p=0.001) and decrease knee pain (d=0.81, p=0.036). Also, there was significant effect of eight weeks' exercises of strength training on increase function (d=0.90, p=0.001) and muscle strength (d=0.73, p=0.041) and decrease knee pain (d=1.52, p=0.003).   

It seems, core stability and strength training can reduce the pain and help to rehabilitation of elderly women with osteoarthritis.