Power Training in Older Adults With Hip Osteoarthritis

Introduction

With age, people complain of pain and lack of mobility concerning bone issues. This is because of injury or inflammation to the joint and its protecting tissue resulting in coarsening of bone. And, when the protective cartilage tissue diminishes, the bone commences rubbing with bone. Unfortunately, it is common to affect global people, with a prevalence rate of about 40 million, as per the review in 2017. Osteoarthritis typically occurs in individuals above the age of 45. Women are more likely to experience this than men. In addition, researchers have uncovered that any injury or employment that engages long-span standing, weight-lifting, or strenuous activities has a high rate of risk of developing hip osteoarthritis.

What Is Hip Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis that is due to the wearing off of the flexible protective tissue that conceals the ends of the bone. It is a degenerative disease that occurs as people age. Hence, osteoarthritis is also referred to as “wear and tear arthritis.” Osteoarthritis commonly develops in weight-bearing joints, especially the knee, hand, and hip. This causes the cartilage, the protective tissue, to become thinner and the joint surfaces rougher. As a result, hip osteoarthritis results in pain and stiffness of the joint, culminating in immobilization with time.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Hip Osteoarthritis?

Pain is the predominant symptom of hip osteoarthritis, which abrupts slowly and increases with time. The pain influences movement, walking, bending, and other daily functions. In addition, it presents the following symptoms, but it varies based on the severity of the condition.

• Gradually lifting progressive hip pain.

• Pain is often felt in the groin.

• The pain slowly radiates to the knee, thigh, and buttocks.

• Tenderness.

• Swelling.

• The pain worsens at rest or during certain activities requiring great exertion.

• Limits walking and other household activities.

• Often associated with stiffness, especially after rest, mainly in the morning.

• Locking and grinding sensation.

• The activities of daily living are reduced, suppressing the range of motion.

• Loss of flexibility.

• Pain-allied stress and distress.

• Fatigue.

Why Is Physiotherapy Management Considered for Hip Osteoarthritis?

The hip joint is the most significant weight-bearing type of joint that requires a great deal of potential and range of motion to perform an action. However, in contrast, older adults with hip osteoarthritis fail to meet such potential due to inflammation. So, they need to cope. Physiotherapy plays an important yet significant role in managing hip osteoarthritis. Physiotherapy primarily aims at relieving pain and symptoms, though. It also possesses the following effects.

• Improvement of strength and weight-bearing potential.

• Mobility aids.

• Increases range of motion.

• Directs functional adaptations.

• Regenerate the regular activity and functions of hip and knee joints.

• Improves the quality of life.

How Power Training Helps Older People Living With Hip Osteoarthritis?

Power training incorporates certain exercises, all relying on a maximum quantity of force with fast application. It works on the rationale that the appropriate strength and speed equal the power. Therefore, even routine weight-training exercises can be considered power training when it fulfills with explosive speed. So, when one attempts lifting exertions at maximum eventually with the dynamic theme, one attains the power at maximum.

Associated Physiological Processes:

Eventually, power training persistently and specifically exploits the following two physiological processes while implementing the exercises. Both events increase parallelly with each other.

• Deep Breathing and Intra-Abdominal Pressure: The person demands oxygen while implementing heavy exercises so he breathes deeper. However, deep breathing also impacts the overall body system strengthening. This is due to an increase in intra-abdominal pressure, which also strengthens the body. So, adopting a process of deep breathing is vital in power training.

• Post-Activation Potentiation: At any exercise, the nervous system gets activated, followed by a process in which a heightened number of muscle fibers are constituted to aid and balance performance. It is apparent in cases of heavy-weight lifting and strenuous training. So, the heightened activation of the nervous system and recruitment of muscle fibers persist in coping with the exercise, and this process is known as post-activation potentiation.

Therefore, it is clear that specific physiologic processes rely on the process of the fulfillment and strengthening of power training.

What Are Common Forms of Power Training?

Power training is all about heavy weights, whether movements with weight, such as jumping or lifting weights. The therapist recommends one or a combination of the following forms of power training.

• Plyometrics: Plyometrics incorporates jumping exercises with added strength and speed. In addition, it involves certain brisk movements in a recurrent manner, where the body’s stretch is utilized at its fullness. For example, throwing or catching the weighted ball for a span.

• Loaded Plyometrics: As the name implies, it is plyometric training with the load. So, a loaded object like a trap bar is given while doing jumping exercises.

• Complex Training: Here, the heavy lifts are alternated while doing plyometric exercises.

• Sprint Training: Sprint training refers to jogging, running, swimming, or cycling. It effectively improves the body’s ability to discharge quickly for a more extended period.

How Effective Is Power Training in Treating Older Adults With Hip Osteoarthritis?

Power training, sometimes called high-velocity resistance or explosive training, offers benefits for older adults with hip osteoarthritis. Conventional strength training focuses only on building strength. At the same time, the power training approach places significance on rapid and forceful movements. The clinical research recommends that power training could help improve mobility, muscle power, and physical performance in older adults with hip osteoarthritis. Power training enhances one’s ability to perform activities requiring explosive actions like climbing stairs and rising from a chair.

Conclusion

Due to hip osteoarthritis, the rate of people undergoing hip replacement has recently been quite high concerning pain and immobilization. But, it can be managed without surgery in most instances. When paid consideration earlier, hip osteoarthritis is one of the most successfully manageable conditions. It is primarily achieved by optimizing the use of power-based physical training. Therefore, the weight-bearing joint hip is managed by compensating with weight-training exercises but when applied with full strength and force.