Effects of Vocalization When Standing-up from a Sitting Position in a Chair among Healthy Elderly People

抄録

Aims: The effects of vocalization on standing-up movement were examined in healthy elderly people. Vocalizations, which are made frequently during sports activities, may also accompany vigorous movement in everyday situations, such as when standing-up from a seated position. Methods: Fifteen healthy elderly men and women (71.1±2.5 years old: average±SD) performed standing-up movement from a sitting position in a chair at voluntary and maximum speeds with and without energetic vocalization. 2D kinetics and kinematics data, thigh muscle electromyographs (EMG), and timing of vocalization were acquired. Results: Peak hip extension moment and EMG activity in the long head of the biceps femoris (BF) were significantly higher with than without vocalization in both voluntary and maximum speed standing, and no significant differences were observed both in peak knee extension moment and in EMG activity in the vastus lateralis (VL). Peak triaxial composite of ground reaction force divided by body weight was significantly higher with than without vocalization at both voluntary and maximum speeds. Almost all subjects vocalized immediately before ground reaction force reached the peak level (before 0.12±0.14 s and 0.09±0.12 s at voluntary and maximum speed, respectively). Standing velocity was significantly higher at voluntary speed with than without vocalization (0.86±0.25 vs. 0.67±0.22 m/s), and no significant change was seen with vocalization at maximum speed. Conclusions: The results suggest that vocalization enhances hip extension muscle force exertion during standing-up movement and increases standing velocity at voluntary speed in elderly people.