Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Physical Therapy - Department of Basic Science

Obesity and quadriceps weakness associated with many structural and functional main reason in osteoarthritis knee joint with increase pain and decrease functions capacity. Therefore anti-gravity treadmill walking was used for elder obese osteoarthritis knee women with reduction 20% or 45% of total body weight comparing with quadriceps drill, straight leg raising and isometric hip adduction exercises. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of training on antigravity treadmill walking on muscle strength, balance, active range of motion of knee flexion and pain. Forty five obese elder females with osteoarthritis knee were conducted in current study. Their ages were ranged from 45 to 65years and body mass index was ranged from 35 to 40kg/m². They were randomly divided into 3 equal groups, each group included 15 patients. Group I was received quadriceps drill, straight leg raising and isometric hip adduction exercises plus traditional treatment. Group II and III received exercise by the use of Alter-G for 20 minutes by reduction of 20% or 45% of total body weight plus traditional treatment. Muscle strength and, balance were measured by biodex isokinetic dynamometer and pain was measured by wong-baker faces pain rating scale and active range of knee flexion was measured by manual goniometer

Issued also as CD