Abstract
[Purpose] This study investigated leg joint movements of the elderly during the squat motion. [Subjects] Nineteen healthy elderly individuals in their 60s and 70s participated. [Methods] The reaction time, maximum joint angle, distance between the knees foot angle, and the center of mass during the squat task with eyes closed recorded and analyzed using a force plate and a three-dimensional motion analysis system. [Results] There were no significant differences in the reaction times between joints or ages. The maximum knee angle of the 70s group was significant smaller than that of the 60s group. Although the distance between the knees of all participants increased during the squat motion, there was no difference between the two age groups. Both the hip and the knee joints of the 70s group showed significant correlations with the vertical component of the center of mass. [Conclusion] The results suggest that the joint motion of the lower limbs of the elderly changes during the squat motion with aging.
