Background
Knee osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease characterized by damaged cartilage, tendons, ligaments, synovium, and bone. Knee osteoarthritis causes joint pain, reduced joint function, and decreased quality of life and is the leading cause of chronic disability in older adults. Two of the major risk factors for knee osteoarthritis are increasing age and obesity. To decrease the occurrence of knee osteoarthritis in our aging population, it is important that we identify exercises that are safe for people with or at risk of knee osteoarthritis.
Purpose
The main purpose of this thesis was to compare the acute response of knee cartilage composition to two common aerobic activities, running and bicycling, of equal total load. To address the primary purpose, we first sought to determine the reliability and validity of measuring loading repetition during running (steps) and bicycling (pedal-revolutions) using accelerometry.
Methods
1) Twenty-two healthy adults completed running and bicycling activity bouts (five-minutes) while wearing six accelerometers: two at each the waist, thigh and shank. Accelerometer and video data were collected during each activity. 2) Fifteen healthy men completed running and bicycling activities of equal cumulative load that were preceded and followed by a series of magnetic resonance images.
Results
1) Excellent reliability (ICC≥.99; SEM≤1.0) and validity (Pearson≥.99) were found for step and pedal revolution measurements taken by an accelerometer placed at the shank. 2) Bicycling did not cause significant changes in cartilage composition (p=0.274); however, running did cause a change in cartilage composition (p=0.002).
Conclusion
Findings from this thesis suggest that to acquire reliable and valid step and pedal revolution measurement, accelerometers should be placed on the shank. Furthermore, bicycling causes no statistical changes in knee cartilage, while running does. Bicycling may therefore be used to combat obesity and maintain cardiovascular health in individuals with compromised joint health. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc) / Knee osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that affects all knee tissues, particularly articular cartilage. This “wear and tear” condition reduces mobility and creates pain, collectively decreasing quality of life. Two important risk factors for knee osteoarthritis are age and obesity. While we cannot stop aging, exercise can have a positive impact on weight, particularly among adults with knee osteoarthritis. This thesis provides foundational information on how running and bicycling affects knee cartilage. First, we identified a useful method of measuring steps during running and pedal revolutions during bicycling. Second, we compared the effect of running and bicycling of equal cumulative load on knee cartilage, using MRI. The running activity was 1/3 the length of the bicycling activity but despite shorter exposure, running caused changes in cartilage shape and composition, while bicycling did not. These findings suggest that bicycling is a suitable aerobic activity that reduces loading at the knee.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:mcmaster.ca/oai:macsphere.mcmaster.ca:11375/18311 |
| Date | 11 1900 |
| Creators | Gatti, Anthony A. |
| Contributors | Maly, Monica R., Health Sciences |
| Source Sets | McMaster University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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