Influence Of Age On Dynamics Of Rising From A Chair (original) (raw)

This article describes the sit-to-stand movement in nine healthy elderly adults, ages 61 to 74 years, and comparespeak joint angles, torques, and velocities of 11 body segments with data collected from nine young women, ages 25 to 3 6 years. The subjects in this study rose from a chair under a controlled protocol. An optoelectronic; system, two force plates, and two computers were used for data collection and processing. The data are described in relationship to three phases of the task previously described for the young subjects' data. Percentages of d@erence were cak:ulated for the torques and the velocities. Independent t tests were conducted on maximum angles achieved and total joint excursions. Com'stency between groups was demonstrated in the duration of each phase, as well as the baiy kin'ematics and kinetics occurring within each phase. There was little dzfference in rnuximum torques or velocities. Maximum angles of head-to-trunk extension, head-to-groundfexion, head-to-trunk excursion, and trunk-to-pelvisflexion were s2gttiJicantly different between groups. The dtfferences in head position demonstrated between these two groups may have clinical implications for loss of balance during this task in older patients. [Ikeda ER, Schenkman ML, Riley PO, Hodge EN. Influence of age on dynamics of nkingfrom a chair. Phys Ther. 1991; 71:473481.] The ability to rise unassisted from a ence. We believe that, without a chair is a prerequisite to many activ-quantitative description of what conities of daily living. In teaching pa-stitutes normal rising, there can be tients this activity, therapists have no demonstration of the efficacy of previously relied on qualitative con-using clinical models. ceptual models and clinical experi-Because of the complexity of testing and analyzing the task of rising, several studies have focused on specific aspects of the sit-to-stand movement. Several investigators1-4 examined only the kinematics of rising, and others5-l4 studied only the lower-extremity dynamics. Consequently, there is a need for greater knowledge concerning integrated upper-body and lower-extremity kinematics and kinetics. Describing total-body kinematics of geriatric subjects in rising from a chair is necessary to further delineate differences between young and elderly subjects and provides data for future comparisons with kinematic data of elderly persons with pathology and dysfunction.