Effect of TA Contraction on Gait in Patients With Knee OA

The purpose of this study is to study the effects of core activation on knee joint loading during ambulation in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). This study aims to investigate the effects of transversus abdominis (TA) activation during simultaneous kinetic analysis of time to initial peak ground reaction force (T1) at the heel in the sagittal plane. The objective of this study is to determine whether patients with knee OA demonstrate changes in T1 during comfortable gait speeds when actively contracting the TA muscle. In addition, this study will serve as a pilot study in order to perform a post-hoc power analysis for future study on the effects of the independent variable (TA contraction/changes in core stability) on the dependent variable (T1). Null hypothesis: There will be no change in T1 in patients with knee OA during gait while contracting their TA. Alternate hypothesis: There will be a decrease in T1 in patients with knee OA during gait while contracting their TA.