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Vertical Ground Reaction Forces Waveform Flattening during Gait in Women with Knee Osteoarthritis

Georgios Bouchouras, Georgios Sofianidis, Syragoula Charisi, Charalampos Pavlopoulos, Vassilia Hatzitaki, Efthimios Samoladas

TL;DR

This study investigates whether flattened vertical ground reaction force (vGRF) waveforms and reduced knee RoM co-occur during gait in women with unilateral knee OA, while maintaining self-selected walking speed. Using force-plates and motion capture, the authors compare OA and control groups and examine within-OA limb asymmetries via a 2×2 mixed-design ANOVA on vGRF peaks (Peak1, Peak2), min vGRF, ADWA, ADPO, knee RoM, and gait speed. Results show OA participants have a flatter vGRF with lower Peak2 and push-off amplitude (ADPO), plus substantially reduced knee RoM, but similar gait speeds to controls; min vGRF remains symmetric. The authors interpret these patterns as a compensatory motor strategy that preserves function yet may increase joint stress over time, highlighting potential targets for rehabilitation such as gait retraining and load redistribution to slow cartilage degeneration.

Abstract

Background. Knee Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common chronic joint condition, and its prevalence increases with age. This study aims to examine whether flattened vertical ground reaction force (vGRF) waveforms and reduced knee range of motion (RoM) occur together during gait as compensatory strategies to maintain gait speed. Methods. Twelve women with knee OA and twelve healthy women of the same age completed the Western Ontario and McMaster University Index (WOMAC) to assess self-reported pain, stiffness, and function. The groups were divided into two groups: OA vs. control 2 limbs or left and right in the Control group. A mixed-design ANOVA was used to examine differences in vertical ground response forces (VGRFs) peaks, minimum VGRF, anterior-posterior weight acceptance (ADWA) and propulsive force (ADPO), knee RoM, and gait speeds. Results. In the OA group, the mean Peak 1 vGFR was 1.109 (SD = 0.05) for the right leg (p 0.05), while the mean min vGFFR was 0.87 (SD=0.04) for the left leg. The OA leg exhibited a mean ADWA of 0.23 0.04 kg/BW, which was significantly lower than the control group's right leg (0.28 0.09 kg/bw, p0.05). No group differences in gait velocity were detected. Conclusions. We interpret the flattening of the vFGFR waveform and the reduction in knee RoM as components of an adaptive, yet potentially maladaptive, motor strategy

Vertical Ground Reaction Forces Waveform Flattening during Gait in Women with Knee Osteoarthritis

TL;DR

This study investigates whether flattened vertical ground reaction force (vGRF) waveforms and reduced knee RoM co-occur during gait in women with unilateral knee OA, while maintaining self-selected walking speed. Using force-plates and motion capture, the authors compare OA and control groups and examine within-OA limb asymmetries via a 2×2 mixed-design ANOVA on vGRF peaks (Peak1, Peak2), min vGRF, ADWA, ADPO, knee RoM, and gait speed. Results show OA participants have a flatter vGRF with lower Peak2 and push-off amplitude (ADPO), plus substantially reduced knee RoM, but similar gait speeds to controls; min vGRF remains symmetric. The authors interpret these patterns as a compensatory motor strategy that preserves function yet may increase joint stress over time, highlighting potential targets for rehabilitation such as gait retraining and load redistribution to slow cartilage degeneration.

Abstract

Background. Knee Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common chronic joint condition, and its prevalence increases with age. This study aims to examine whether flattened vertical ground reaction force (vGRF) waveforms and reduced knee range of motion (RoM) occur together during gait as compensatory strategies to maintain gait speed. Methods. Twelve women with knee OA and twelve healthy women of the same age completed the Western Ontario and McMaster University Index (WOMAC) to assess self-reported pain, stiffness, and function. The groups were divided into two groups: OA vs. control 2 limbs or left and right in the Control group. A mixed-design ANOVA was used to examine differences in vertical ground response forces (VGRFs) peaks, minimum VGRF, anterior-posterior weight acceptance (ADWA) and propulsive force (ADPO), knee RoM, and gait speeds. Results. In the OA group, the mean Peak 1 vGFR was 1.109 (SD = 0.05) for the right leg (p 0.05), while the mean min vGFFR was 0.87 (SD=0.04) for the left leg. The OA leg exhibited a mean ADWA of 0.23 0.04 kg/BW, which was significantly lower than the control group's right leg (0.28 0.09 kg/bw, p0.05). No group differences in gait velocity were detected. Conclusions. We interpret the flattening of the vFGFR waveform and the reduction in knee RoM as components of an adaptive, yet potentially maladaptive, motor strategy
Paper Structure (15 sections, 1 equation, 4 figures, 2 tables)

This paper contains 15 sections, 1 equation, 4 figures, 2 tables.

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Research methodology
  3. Instrumentation
  4. Procedure and data collection
  5. The dependent variables of this study were
  6. Design and statistical analysis
  7. Results
  8. Peak 1 vGRF
  9. Peak 2 vGRF
  10. Minimun vGRF
  11. ADWA
  12. ADPO
  13. Knee RoM
  14. Gait speed
  15. Discussion

Figures (4)

  • Figure 1: Vertical ground reaction forces of each leg for the two groups (mean values of all participants)
  • Figure 2: Second peak value of vertical ground reaction for both legs in between groups comparison.
  • Figure 3: Amplitude difference of the vGRF during push-off phase for both legs legs in between groups comparison.
  • Figure 4: Knee range of motion in the sagittal plane for both legs in between groups comparison.