Chair rise strategies in older adults with functional limitations.

Studies investigating chair rise (CR) strategies in older adults, including the identification of CR strategies in the clinical setting, are limited. We identified biomechanical differences between CR strategies performed by older adults. The "healthy" momentum transfer (MT), the exaggerated trunk flexion (ETF), and the dominant vertical rise (DVR) CR strategies were observed in 29 women and 17 men (64-88 yr) with functional limitations. The DVR strategy required the greatest knee torque (mean = 12.76 moment-% body weight). Maximum knee torque occurred significantly earlier for the ETF strategy (mean = 47% CR time). Lift-off time was earliest for the ETF strategy (mean = 32% CR time). Peak trunk flexion was the primary distinguishing biomechanical measure for classifying CR strategy. This finding may offer clinicians an easy method of identifying CR strategies during evaluation. Because of DVR and ETF movement timing and torque demands, we conclude that MT is the safest and most preferable CR strategy.