Journal for Research in Sport Rehabilitation

Journal for Research in Sport Rehabilitation

The effect of 6 weeks combined rehabilitation program (electrical stimulation and isometric contraction) on pain and performance of athletes with knee osteoarthritis: A Clinical Trial Study

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
Hossein Shahrokhi 1
Mohammad Fallahmohammadi 2
Arman Nikoo 3
Ebrahim Ebrahimi 4
1 Assistant professor of Department of Sports Injury and Corrective Exercises, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Hakim Sabzevari University, Sabzevar, Iran
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Sports Sciences, Faculty of Humanities, Shafagh Institute of Higher Education, Mazandaran, Iran.
3 MSc of Sports Injury and Corrective Exercises, Faculty of Humanities, Shafagh Institute of Higher Education, Mazandaran, Iran.
4 MSc of Sports Injury and Corrective Exercises, Faculty of sport sciences, Shahi Beheshti University,, Tehran, Iran.
10.22084/rsr.2024.28411.1711
Abstract
Background and aim: This research aimed to compare the effect of six weeks of electrical stimulation and isometric contraction of the quadriceps muscle on the pain and performance of male athletes with knee osteoarthritis.
Methods: thirty-two male soccer players with at least 2 years of playing experience in the provincial league and suffering from mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis with an average age of 45-50 years participated in this research. Eligible people were randomly divided into 4 groups of 8 people including electrical stimulation, isometric contraction, electrical stimulation+isometric contraction and control. Interventions were implemented in the target groups for six weeks. The intensity of knee pain was determined according to VAS (Visual Analogue Scale), 6-minute walking test (6MWT), SCD test and fast walking test of 10 x 4 meters were evaluated to measure the performance of patients with osteoarthritis. After ensuring the normality of the data distribution, analysis of covariance statistics was used to determine inter-group changes and despite the significance of Tukey's test.
Results: Six weeks of electrical stimulation, isometric and combined contraction (electrical stimulation and isometric contraction) caused a significant decrease in changes in pain index levels (vas) and functional indices in patients with knee osteoarthritis compared to the control group (p≤0.05) and No significant difference was observed between the experimental groups (p>0.05).
Conclusion: According to the results of the research, it is recommended to use both treatment methods or a combination of them to reduce pain and improve the performance of athletes with knee osteoarthritis.
Keywords
Electrical stimulation
Isometric contraction
Pain index
Knee osteoarthritis
Sports performance
Subjects