Alpine Skiing With total knee ArthroPlasty (ASWAP): study design and intervention
A Kösters1, B Pötzelsberger1, F Dela2
1Department of Sport Science and Kinesiology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria.
Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports
|June 18, 2015
Summary
This study monitored skiing effects on total knee arthroplasty patients. Skiing demonstrated a significant physiological load, with further health and implant outcomes detailed later.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Sports Medicine
- Rehabilitation
Background:
- Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) patients often face limitations in physical activity.
- Long-term effects of specific recreational activities like skiing on TKA are not well-documented.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the long-term health-related and implant-related outcomes of skiing in TKA patients.
- To describe the study design, demographics, and physiological demands of a skiing intervention for TKA recipients.
Main Methods:
- A control group design with an intervention group (n=14) and a control group (n=17) of TKA patients.
- Measurements taken pre-, post-, and during retention test sessions over a 12-week intervention.
- Recording of daily heart rate (HR) profiles and GPS data during skiing, with an average of 25.5 skiing days per patient.
Main Results:
- The intervention group performed an average of 3393 vertical meters and 33.6 km of downhill skiing daily.
- Average skiing speed was 8.2 m/s, with a physiological load of 75.9% of maximum heart rate (HRmax).
Conclusions:
- The 12-week skiing intervention imposed a substantial physiological load on TKA patients.
- Further papers will report on the specific health and implant-related effects observed during this skiing program.
