Remote Stepping Exercise Training for Improving Gait Mechanics in Older Women with Chronic Knee Pain

Babaei Khorzoghi, Mojtaba; Saadatian , Aboozar; Darvishi, Vida

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Volume 34, Issue 4 (9-2026)

Journal of Ilam University of Medical Sciences 2026, 34(4): 87-98

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Remote Stepping Exercise Training for Improving Gait Mechanics in Older Women with Chronic Knee Pain

Mojtaba Babaei Khorzoghi¹

, Aboozar Saadatian ^*²

, Vida Darvishi³

1- Dept of Sport Injures and Corrective Exercises, Center of Physical Education, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, Iran
2- Dept of Sport Sciences, Faculty of Human Sciences, University of Yasouj, Yasouj, Iran , aboozar.saadat67@gmail.com
3- Dept of Sport Injures and Corrective Exercises, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Khorasgan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran

Abstract: (285 Views)

Introduction: With aging, there are changes in the gait patterns that can compromise balance and increase the risk of falls. Nowadays different rehabilitation treatments, like stair exercises, are suggested to old-age people. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of 8 weeks of stair training on gait biomechanics in elderly women with knee pain.
Materials & Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 30 elderly women with chronic knee pain who were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups and studied for 8 weeks. Two video cameras and the Kinovea software were used to analyze gait parameters, including cadence, step length, step width, swing time, and stance time. The exercises were performed on stairs of heights 10–18 cm. Repeated measures mixed ANOVA, paired-samples t-test, and independent-samples t-test were used for statistical analysis.
Results: Results of the mixed-design ANOVA indicated significant effects of time and time × group interaction on step frequency, step length, and gait speed (all p < 0.05), but no significant main effect of group. No significant effects were found on step width, swing time, and stance time (p > 0.05). A paired-samples t-test showed significant improvement in cadence, step length, and gait speed for the experimental group (p < 0.01) and no changes for the control group. Moreover, the experimental group showed significantly higher scores than the control group in the post-test (p < 0.01).
Conclusion: The findings of the present study indicate that stair training can be regarded as an effective intervention to improve gait performance in elderly individuals. Older adults in rehabilitation programs may do these exercises with rehabilitation specialists.

Keywords: Elderly Women, Chronic Knee Pain, Stair Training, Gait Biomechanics

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Editorial Note: Applicable | Subject: Physical Education
Received: 2026/02/17 | Accepted: 2026/08/3 | Published: 2026/09/27

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Babaei Khorzoghi M, Saadatian A, Darvishi V. Remote Stepping Exercise Training for Improving Gait Mechanics in Older Women with Chronic Knee Pain. J. Ilam Uni. Med. Sci. 2026; 34 (4) :87-98
URL: http://sjimu.medilam.ac.ir/article-1-8907-en.html

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