Background: The effectiveness of a high level of physical activity in maintaining physical function in patients with hip osteoarthritis has not been adequately examined.
Objective: This study aimed to determine whether self-reported physical activity is associated with physical function and walking ability in female patients with hip osteoarthritis.
Methods: This was a multicenter cross-sectional study. The dependent variables were the lower-limb range of motion and muscle strength, and walking ability. Self-reported physical activity was assessed according to the guidelines of the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare. Multiple regression models were used to determine whether physical activity was significantly related to the dependent variables after adjusting for confounding factors (age, body mass index, hip pain, comorbidity, and severity of hip osteoarthritis).
Results: A total of 167 participants were included in the study. Physical activity was associated with muscle strength in hip flexion (affected/unaffected, β = 0.18/β = 0.16), abduction (β = 0.19/β = 0.26), knee extension (β = 0.22/β = 0.26), Timed Up-and-Go test (β = -0.16), and 5-m walking time test (β = -0.15).
Conclusion: In female patients with hip osteoarthritis, greater physical activity was associated with greater lower extremity muscle strength and walking ability.
Keywords: Total hip arthroplasty; exercise; muscle strength; range of motion; walking ability.