DOS 2020

178 · DOS Abstracts Effects of blood flow restricted walking exercise on functional capacity and self-reported knee function in elderly individuals with knee osteoarthritis Naaja Petersson, Inger Mechlenburg, Per Aagaard, Stian Jørgensen, Troels Kjeldsen Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark; Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Aarhus University Hospital; Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark; Department of Occupational and Physical Therapy, Horsens Regional Hospital; Background: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) negatively affects skeletal muscle size and strength, which impairs the capacity to perform activities of daily living and results in a reduced quality of life. Walking exercise with concurrent lower limb blood flow restric- tion (BFR- walking) has previously been shown to increase muscle strength and improve function in elderly Japanese individuals. Purpose / Aim of Study: To evaluate changes in performance-based functional capac- ity and self-reported knee function after 8 weeks of BFR-walking in elderly individuals with knee OA. Materials and Methods: Fifteen elderly individuals (>60 years of age) diagnosed with knee OA participated in 8 weeks of outdoor walking with partial blood flow restriction of the leg suffering from knee OA. Participants performed 20- min horizontal walk- ing (4km/h) for 4 times/week with one supervised session per week. A pneumatic cuff system was applied to the proximal part of the thigh of the affected leg. The restric- tive pressure applied during walking was set to 60% of the total arterial occlusion pres- sure for each individual participant. 30-s sit-to-stand test (30STS), Timed-Up & Go (TUG), 40-m fast- paced walk test (40MWT), 11-step stair- climb test, and Knee Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) were assessed pre and post training. Findings / Results: Ten participants completed the BFR-walking exercise (range 6-10 wk). Self-reported knee function (KOOS) remained unchanged following the interven- tion period. In contrast, a strong tendency for positive change (-4%) in 40-m fast-paced walk capacity was observed (p = 0.06). Subsequently post hoc analysis revealed im- proved (p < 0.05) 40MWT (-5%), 30STS (+16%) and TUG (-8%) performance in par- ticipants completing a minimum of 8 weeks of BFR- walking (n = 9). Conclusions: BFR-walking exercise of moderate duration (6-10 wk) led to improved 40-m fast-paced walking capacity in the present group of elderly individuals with knee OA. Further, participants with high training compliance (≥ 8 wk BFR-walking) demon- strated significant improvements in sit-to-stand mobility (30STS, TUG) and horizontal walking ability (40MWT), which is suggested to represent an important functional adap- tation in elderly with knee OA. 157.