Effect of agility ladder drill exercises on knee health status among geriatric patients with osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most serious clinical problem faced by the elderly. This study investigated the effect of agility ladder drill exercises on knee health status among geriatric patients with osteoarthritis. The objectives were to assess the effect of agility ladder drill exercises on knee health status among geriatric patients with osteoarthritis, and to find the association between knee health status among geriatric patients with osteoarthritis and selected demographic variables in selected old age home in Thiruvananthapuram district. The study design adopted was quantitative pre experimental one group pre test post test design. 30 samples were selected by purposive sampling techniques between 60-75 year and participated in ladder drill exercise for 6 weeks 3 days per week. WOMAC Osteoarthritis index was employed to determine level of knee health status at the end of third and sixth week.independant t test and paired t test were computed to find the effectiveness. Findings revealed that there was a significant difference between pre test and post test (I and II)scores. The obtained t value in post test 1 vs post test 2 is 13.38, is greater than table value is significant at 0.01 level. The result indicated in improvement in knee health status after ladder drill exercise and no association between knee health status and selected demographic variables. Thus it may be concluded that agility ladder drill exercise offers a more efficient way of improving knee health status among geriatric patients with osteoarthritis.