Center of gravity transfer velocity during sit-to-stand is closely related to physical functions regarding fall experience of the elderly living in community dwelling

Takayoshi Yamada, Shinichi Demura, Kenji Takahashi

Faculty of Community Health Care, Teikyo Heisei University, Chiba, Japan.
Faculty of Education and Regional studies, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan;.
Graduate School of Natural Science & Technology, Kanazawa University, Ishikawa, Japan.

DOI: 10.4236/health.2013.512286                

Abstract

This study examines the difference of the center of gravity (CG) velocity during sit-to-stand (STS) movement between the elderly with and without fall experience. Fifteen elderly without fall experience (age: 75.7 ± 4.8 yr), with one fall experience (age: 75.7 ± 5.0 yr), and two or more fall experiences (age: 75.7 ± 4.8 yr) participated in the measurement of 10m maximal walking speed, functional reach, one-legged standing duration with vision, maximal isometric knee extension, hip flexion, ankle extension and toe flexion muscle strengths, fall risk assessment and ADL questionnaire, and CG velocity during STS movement. No significant differences were found in muscle strength, walking and balance tests (F < 2.7, p > 0.078). The group with two or more fall experiences was significantly higher than the other groups in the fall risk assessment, and lower than the group without fall experience in ADL (F = 8.5 and 6.1, p = 0.001 and 0.005). Meanwhile, significant differences were found in the maximal and mean CG velocity during STS movement among all groups. The group without fall experience was the greatest, and the group with fall experience was less than half (F = 9.0 and 11.1, p = 0.001 and <0.001). In conclusion, CG velocity during STS movement has a closer relationship with fall risk than leg strength, and walking and balance tests.

 

Keywords

Sit-to-Stand Movement; Physical Function; Fall

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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