Journal article
Biomechanical analysis of step-up and step-down tasks in knee osteoarthritis: Insights from leading and trailing limbs
Clinical Biomechanics, Vol.122, pp.1-7
2025
PMID: 39848097
Abstract
Background
Stair climbing tests are pivotal when assessing physical performance in knee osteoarthritis patients, yet the biomechanical strategies that underpin poor stair climbing ability are heterogeneously reported. Single step tasks emulate a step-by-step gait pattern, an approach associated with knee pain when stair climbing. The objective of this study is to analyse the biomechanics and electromyography activity of both the leading and trailing limbs during single Step-up and Down tasks in knee osteoarthritis patients.
Methods
Three-dimensional motion analysis captured biomechanical data of twenty participants with knee osteoarthritis (n = 20) and twenty four (n = 24) age matched controls completing isolated Step-Up and Step-Down tasks. Data was collected from both the leading and trailing limbs and analysed continuously using One-dimensional Statistical Parametric Mapping (α = 0.05).
Findings
During Step-Up, knee osteoarthritis participants demonstrated kinematic (p < 0.001), kinetic (p = 0.045), and electromyography (p < 0.001) variance compared to control participants, whilst Step-Down induced elevated external knee adduction moments (p = 0.042). Across both tasks, knee osteoarthritis participants stood with increased lower limb flexion in quiet standing and spent a proportionally elevated time in transitional double stance during Step-Up (p = 0.02).
Interpretation
Our study reveals that knee osteoarthritis patients display distinctive biomechanical strategies during single Step-Up and Down tasks, that deviate depending on whether the osteoarthritic knee is leading or trailing. Single-step tasks are a safer and practical alternative to other stair climbing tests. We hope that clinicians can use these findings to guide treatments that promote less effortful step and stair ambulation in knee osteoarthritis patients with advanced disease.
Details
- Title
- Biomechanical analysis of step-up and step-down tasks in knee osteoarthritis: Insights from leading and trailing limbs
- Authors
- Oliver Roberts (Corresponding Author) - Nanyang Technological UniversityTsung-Lin Wu - Nanyang Technological UniversityPhillis Teng - Nanyang Technological UniversityJun Liang Lau - Singapore General HospitalYong Hao Pua - Singapore General HospitalRoss A. Clark - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - Sports & Exercise ScienceYi Hu - Nanyang Technological UniversityBryan Yijia Tan - Nanyang Technological University
- Publication details
- Clinical Biomechanics, Vol.122, pp.1-7
- Publisher
- Elsevier Ltd
- Date published
- 2025
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2025.106436
- ISSN
- 1879-1271
- PMID
- 39848097
- Grant note
- This research is supported by the Rehabilitation Research Institute of Singapore (RRIS) through RRG3–19002 / CG001.
- Organisation Unit
- Healthy Ageing Research Cluster; School of Health - Sports & Exercise Science
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991101939202621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Web Of Science research areas
- Engineering, Biomedical
- Orthopedics
- Sport Sciences
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