OA Hip programme
The OA Hip programme consists of muscle
strengthening training schedules, using ®tness
equipment, combined with limited health education
and with ergonomic advice at home (Staats
et al., 1999). It consists of nine weekly sessions of
1 hour, with a maximum of 12 participants. The
®rst session is spent on health education (life style
information, OA and physical activity), delivered
by a physiotherapist and an occupational therapist.
During the remaining sessions, participants train
with ®tness equipment to strengthen hip function.
The training is supervised by two physiotherapists.
At study entry, muscle strength is measured and
training programmes are tailored to individual
needs and capacity. Nine pre-derned apparatuses
are used or, if not available, alternative ones with
the same function. The occupational therapist
carries out home visits on request to advise about
ergonomic issues at home. The participants receive
written instructions for a home-based exercise
programme.