Stretching Exercise And The Prevention Of Osteoarthritis For Effective Joint Integrity Among The Ageing Based On Gender in Calabar Municipality Of Cross River State

This study examined the effect of the stretching exercise (SE) therapy in the prevention of Osteoarthritis (OA) {range of motion (ROM), muscle torques (MT), and knee flexibility (KF)} for effective joint integrity among the ageing based on gender in Calabar Municipality of Cross River State. Quasi-experimental of pretest posttest research design was employed. Sample of 22 was used. The data were collated using standardized instrument and SEMS. Three types of stretching exercise adopted were Knee lift, Hamstring curl, and Shallow slide lunges. Data were analyzed using percentage, and mean. Results revealed that majority of the participants were males (63.6%), with severe knee pain (40.9%), and majority of those participants had mild pain (63.6%) closely followed by those with no knee pain after the intervention (18.2%). Results showed increased in mean ROMflexion and ROMExtention after the SE (ROMflexion x̄ posttest=116.19>101.21; ROMExtention, x̄ posttest=2.68>1.09). The pretest mean score for KF was less than mean posttest score (x̄ =4.214<5.637), implying that three weeks SE has the propensity of improving the KF of the elderly. Results also revealed a significant difference in peak torque in each group (Ex/Con, Ex/Ecc, Flex/Con, and Flex/Ecc) after SE. Male participants' mean ROM, KF, and MT were more improved than that of the females. Lack of awareness of the benefits of SE, fear and poor interest were suspected as the cause. It is recommended that government and health centers should established programmes and exercise centres for the elderly to improve advocacy and enhance their commitment to stretching exercise.