BACKGROUND AND AIMS: To investigate the gait, sit-to-stand and upper extremity performance in the elderly compared with young adults. METHODS: Individuals over 60 and under 35 years old, with no medical, neurological or orthopedic problems participated in this study. Three-dimensional motion analyses of gait, sit-to-stand and upper extremity performance were performed, and results in the two age groups were compared. RESULTS: Compared with the younger cohort, the gait pattern of the elderly included slower velocity, decreased single stance period, decreased maximal knee extension, and decreased ankle dorsiflexion and plantarflexion. On sit-to-stand, the elderly had decreased knee extension angle, minimal knee extension and maximal ankle plantarflexion moment. On hand-at-object, the elderly had reduced maximal angle of shoulder flexion and increased maximal angle of anterior pelvic tilt. On hand-to-head and hand-to-mouth, the elderly had decreased maximal angle of shoulder flexion. CONCLUSIONS: The most debilitating motion factors in the elderly were limitation of shoulder flexion and decreased knee extension and ankle plantarflexion. Therapeutic programs for elderly individuals should target maintenance of flexibility and strengthening of ankle plantarflexors, strengthening knee extensors, and maintenance of the shoulder joint ROM.
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: To investigate the gait, sit-to-stand and upper extremity performance in the elderly compared with young adults. METHODS: Individuals over 60 and under 35 years old, with no medical, neurological or orthopedic problems participated in this study. Three-dimensional motion analyses of gait, sit-to-stand and upper extremity performance were performed, and results in the two age groups were compared. RESULTS: Compared with the younger cohort, the gait pattern of the elderly included slower velocity, decreased single stance period, decreased maximal knee extension, and decreased ankle dorsiflexion and plantarflexion. On sit-to-stand, the elderly had decreased knee extension angle, minimal knee extension and maximal ankle plantarflexion moment. On hand-at-object, the elderly had reduced maximal angle of shoulder flexion and increased maximal angle of anterior pelvic tilt. On hand-to-head and hand-to-mouth, the elderly had decreased maximal angle of shoulder flexion. CONCLUSIONS: The most debilitating motion factors in the elderly were limitation of shoulder flexion and decreased knee extension and ankle plantarflexion. Therapeutic programs for elderly individuals should target maintenance of flexibility and strengthening of ankle plantarflexors, strengthening knee extensors, and maintenance of the shoulder joint ROM.
Authors: Timo Hinrichs; Claudio Bucchi; Michael Brach; Stefan Wilm; Heinz G Endres; Ina Burghaus; Hans-Joachim Trampisch; Petra Platen Journal: BMC Geriatr Date: 2009-08-17 Impact factor: 3.921
Authors: Timo Hinrichs; Anna Moschny; Michael Brach; Stefan Wilm; Renate Klaaßen-Mielke; Matthias Trampisch; Petra Platen Journal: Trials Date: 2011-12-21 Impact factor: 2.279