An investigation of the effects of exercise on walking economy in individuals with osteoarthritis of the hip

12 weeks of neuro motor exercises in a group setting. The intervention will use a neuro motor exercise program to improve walking economy. Participants assigned to the exercise intervention will be asked to complete a minimum of two group exercise classes per week at either the participating YMCA in Downers Grove, Illinois, or the gym in the School of Kinesiology at the University of Fraser Valley, Chilliwack, British Columbia. The classes will be open to the public. Similar classes attract approximately 10 - 20 participants. Each class is 45 minutes in duration. Classes will be taught by qualified group exercise instructors who will be trained in the delivery of the program and how to modify the exercises, in respect to intensity and balance requirements. The classes are prechoreographed and consist of a warm-up, followed by a squat track, standing core exercises such as woodchops, standing hip exercises with the option to use exercise tubing resistance, lunges track, lying gluteal exercises, lying core exercises and a flexibility track. The program is an adaptation of a neuromuscular exercise (NEMEX) protocol for a group exercise environment. Adherence will be monitored via a weekly training diary.