ANALYSES OF THE EFFECTS OF RESISTANCE TRAINING ON IMPROVING RANGE OF MOTION IN PATIENTS WITH KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS AT FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, YOLA

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyses the effects of resistance training on improving range of motion
among patients with knee osteoarthritis at Federal Medical Centre, Yola. Twenty (20) participants
undergoing physiotherapy treatment at the physiotherapy department were purposively selected, each
participant performed resistance training using resistance machine three (3) times in a week for twelve
(12) consecutive weeks. Before the training and after the training flexion/extension was measured using
goniometer. The data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics and the hypothesis was tested
using repeated measures one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) at a significance level of 0.05. The
results of the study showed significant improvement in range of motion at eight (8) and twelve (12) weeks
respectively, in the goniometry measure of flexion/extension compared to the measure in four (4) weeks.
Based on the findings of this study, it was concluded that resistance training can be used to improved
range of motion in patients with knee osteoarthritis. It is therefore recommended that hospitals should
include resistance training as part of treatment to improve the range of motion in patients with knee
osteoarthritis and Physicians can also refer knee osteoarthritis patients to both exercise scientist and
physiotherapist.