New in Research

Footnote: What's New in the Literature

Early maximal strength training 1 week postoperatively is feasible and an efficient treatment to regaining muscular strength for patients with total hip arthroplasty (THA), say authors of an article published in the October issue (Vol 90 Issue 10) of Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

A randomized controlled study conducted in a research laboratory, rehabilitation center, and physical therapy clinic included 24 patients with osteoarthritis as the main reason for THA. Patients were randomly assigned to perform maximal strength training (n=12) or conventional rehabilitation (n=12).

The maximal strength training group (STG) performed maximal strength training in leg press and abduction with the operated leg only five times a week for 4 weeks in addition to the conventional rehabilitation program. The conventional rehabilitation group (CRG) received supervised physical therapy three to five times a week for 4 weeks. The main outcome measure was 1-repetition maximum (1RM) leg press strength, 1RM abduction strength, rate of force development (RFD), work efficiency, gait patterns, and quality of life.

Researchers found that 1RM increased in the bilateral leg press and in the operated leg separately in the STG compared with the CRG. 1RM abduction strength in the operated leg and the healthy leg increased in the STG compared with the CRG. RFD increased in the STG compared with the CRG, followed by a trend toward increased peak force in the STG. Work efficiency tended to improve in the STG compared with the CRG. No differences in gait patterns were revealed between the groups after the training intervention.