# Neuromuscular and Kinematic Strategies During Step-Up and Down-Forwards Task in Individuals with Knee Osteoarthritis

## TL;DR

This study examines how people with knee osteoarthritis adjust their muscle activity and movement patterns during a step-up and down task, revealing asymmetries that could affect joint health and rehabilitation strategies.

## Contribution

The study introduces new insights into neuromuscular and kinematic adaptations during a complex movement task in knee osteoarthritis.

## Key findings

- Affected leading limbs showed higher quadriceps activation during step-up, while trailing limbs had reduced activation.
- During step-down, trailing limb activation was higher when the affected limb initiated ascent, with hip deviations observed.
- Altered sagittal and coronal-plane alignment was found, suggesting strategies for stability and joint protection.

## Abstract

Background/Objectives: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is associated with pain, functional decline, and altered biomechanics. The Step-Up and Down-Forwards (StUD-F) task provides an ecologically relevant assessment of challenging movements. This study investigated neuromuscular activation and lower-limb kinematics of leading and trailing-limbs during the StUD-F in individuals with KOA. Methods: Forty participants with KOA (65.3 ± 7.68 years; 21M/19F; BMI 28.9 ± 4.52 kg/m2) completed a 25 cm box StUD-F task. Surface electromyograph recorded bilateral activation of the vastus medialis (VM), vastus lateralis (VL), bicep femoris (BF), and semitendinosus (ST). Triplanar hip, knee, and ankle joint angles were estimated using inertial measurement units. StUD-F events (initial stance; step contact; ascent completion; descent preparation; step-down touchdown; and descent completion) were identified using custom algorithms. Pain was assessed using visual analogue scales and the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS). Limb differences were analysed for leading or trailing roles using paired samples t-tests or non-parametric equivalents; waveforms were visually inspected. Results: Distinct neuromuscular and kinematic asymmetries were observed when affected and contralateral limbs were compared within each role (leading/trailing). During step-up, the affected leading limb demonstrated higher quadriceps activation at initial stance (VM: p = 0.035; VL: p = 0.027) and reduced trailing-limb activation at step contact (VM: p = 0.015; VL: p = 0.018), with sagittal-plane ankle differences (p = 0.004). During step-down, when the affected limb initiated ascent, trailing limb activation was higher at descent completion (VL: p < 0.001; VM: p = 0.003; BF: p = 0.009), with coronal-plane hip deviations (p < 0.001). When the contralateral limb-initiated ascent, trailing-limb muscles activation differences (VM: p < 0.001; VL: p = 0.015; BF: p = 0.007) and ankle/coronal-plane asymmetries (p ≤ 0.049) persisted. Conclusions: The StUD-F task elicits altered strategies in KOA, including elevated quadriceps–hamstring co-activation and altered sagittal/coronal alignment, and habitual limb choice across ascent and descent. These adaptations may enhance stability and joint protection but could increase medial compartment loading. The findings support rehabilitation focused on dynamic control, alignment, and shock absorption.