The Effect of Uphill Treadmill Exercise on VO₂ Max in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis at RSUD Dr. Soetomo, Indonesia | [Pakistan Journal of Life and Social Sciences • 2025]

Author(s):

1. Achmad Kadarusman: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine,Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya,Indonesia

2. Andriati: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine,Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya,Indonesia

3. Nurul Kusuma Wardani: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine,Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya,Indonesia

Abstract:

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a common chronic rheumatic disease that frequently causes pain and disability, particularly in women. Declines in cardiorespiratory function and muscle coordination due to OA can affect maximal oxygen capacity (VO2 max). This study aims to evaluate how uphill treadmill exercise affects VO2 max and 6-minute walking test (6 MWT) performance in patients with grade II-III knee OA. Subjects were separated into a control group (receiving standard therapy) and a treatment group (receiving standard therapy plus uphill treadmill exercise). Standard therapy included quadriceps-strengthening exercises using a Q-bench and TENS modalities (two sessions per week for five weeks). The treatment group received additional uphill treadmill exercise at an 8° incline for 30 minutes twice a week for five weeks. VO2 max measurements were conducted one day before the intervention, one day after the intervention, and 20 days after the intervention. Data were analyzed using an independent t-test. The treatment group demonstrated much greater improvements in VO2 max and 6 MWT performance than the control group (p < 0.01, Cohen's D = 0.89). These findings demonstrate that uphill treadmill exercise is an effective complementary therapy for improving functional capacity in patients with knee OA. This study demonstrates how uphill treadmill exercise can play a key role in knee OA rehabilitation. Further research is recommended to assess the optimal duration of training and its impact on long-term quality of life.

Page(s): 3847-3856

DOI: 10.57239/PJLSS-2025-23.1.00303

Published: Journal: Pakistan Journal of Life and Social Sciences, Volume: 23, Issue: 1, Year: 2025

Keywords:

Knee osteoarthritis VO2 max Uphill treadmill exercise 6 MWT Cardiorespiratory rehabilitation

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