The Effect of Home-based Velocity Training in Individuals With Total Knee Replacement

The Effect of Home-Based High-Velocity Training on Muscle Strength and Power, Functional Performance, and Physical Activity Behavior in Individuals With Total Knee Arthroplasty.

The purpose of this study will be to find out the effect of two different interventions on muscle strength, ability to produce muscle force quickly (power), daily function, and number of steps and physical activity an individual with total knee replacement do daily.

The research hypotheses for this study will be as follows:

• For individuals who are at least 6 months post-total knee replacement, home-based high-velocity training exercises will result in significantly greater improvements in muscle strength and power compared to those who receive a walking program only.
• For individuals who are at least 6 months post-total knee replacement, home based high-velocity training exercises will result in significantly greater improvements of daily function(eg. sit to stand, climb a set of stairs)than those who receive a walking program only.
• For individuals who are at least 6 months post-total knee replacement, home based high-velocity training exercises will result in significantly greater improvements in physical activity behavior (eg. number of steps per day)compared to those who receive a walking program only.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Men and women who are at least 40 years of age will qualify if they had a primary unilateral total knee replacement (TKR) 6 to 18 months.

Exclusion Criteria:

• other lower extremity prosthetic implants other than the current TKR
• revision TKR or plan for revision
• diagnosis of severe osteoarthritis in the uninvolved knee or either hip joints
• recent low extremity injury or significant pain that increases during weight bearing or other functional performance
• diagnosis of neurologic deficits
• decreased cognitive status that might affect the ability to follow instructions
• significant cardiovascular and/or pulmonary disease that limits function