Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of instruction by physical therapists on the lower extremity joint moment during sit-to-stand movement with handrails. Using a three-dimensional motion capture system, hip, knee and ankle joint moments were calculated by inverse dynamics. Eight young healthy males participated in this study. They were required to stand up using the handrail without instruction, with instruction of pushing the handrail and pulling the handrail. The results show that knee joint extensor moment decreased in trials with pushing the handrail, and knee joint extensor moment and ankle joint plantar flexor moment increased in trials with pulling the handrail. Activity of the upper extremity compensated the vertical reaction forces applied to the lower extremity joints. These results suggest that an instruction to push the handrail by physical therapists is beneficial for diminishing the lower extremity load.
