A Study to Assess the Effectiveness of Isometric Exercise on Improved Function Performance among Older Adults with Osteoarthritis at St.Thomas Old Age Home, Poonamalle

Osteoarthritis is the most common musculoskeletal condition affecting the quality of life of older adults. Isometric exercises are a type of strength training exercise which involves static contraction of muscle without any visible movement in the angle of the joint. This is reflected in the name, the term isometric combines Greek the prefixes �iso� (same) with �metric� means (distance), meaning that in these exercises the length of the muscle and the angle of the joint do not change, though contraction strength may varied. Exercising is an effective and enjoyable way for sufferers of osteoarthritis to feel better and to regain a functional lifestyle. Isometric exercise can be effective in reducing pain and improving functional ability of clients with osteoarthritis. Hence a study aimed to assess the effectiveness of isometric exercise on improved function performance among older adults with osteoarthritis. Experimental research design was used with 60 samples who matched the inclusion criteria were selected by using simple random sampling technique. Demographic variables were collected by interview method. The functional performance was assessed by using WOMAC scale. Out of 60 samples, In pre-test 2 (3.33 %) older adults comes under very severe level of functional performance, 7 (11.66 %) older adults comes under moderate level of functional performance, 51 (85 %) older adults comes under severe level of functional performance. In post test, 36 (60 %) older adults comes under slight level of functional performance, 24 (40 %) older adults comes under moderate level of functional performance. There is a poor pre-test scoring among 60 samples. The result revealed that isometric exercise is most effective and there is a significant improvement in the functional performance of the older adults with Osteoarthritis. Isometric exercises is the most effective method for improving functional performance