Assessment of the Coordination of Pelvic and Thoracic Rotation in Older Males during Gait

Abstract

[Purpose] This study analyzed the coordination of pelvic and thoracic rotational movements in older males during gait and examined how reduced mobility in the lower thoracic vertebrae affects their coordination with pelvic rotation. [Participants and Methods] Fifteen older male participants (70.9 ± 3.3 years) participated in this study. Their pelvic and thoracic rotations during gait were measured using a three-dimensional motion analysis system. Waveform correlation coefficients and rotational amplitudes were calculated and analyzed. [Results] T7 and T10 tended to rotate in the same direction as the pelvis, but their correlation coefficients were lower than those of young males. Rotational amplitudes of T7 and T10 were also significantly lower than that of the pelvis, and most participants with lower correlation coefficients also showed decreased amplitudes. [Conclusion] In older males, reduced rotational amplitudes of the lower thoracic vertebrae were associated with diminished coordination with pelvic rotation. These findings highlight the importance of considering pelvic–lower thoracic coordination in gait assessment.