Abstract
The purpose of this study was to analyse kinematically sit-to-stand movement patterns in the functionally impaired elderly adults. 11 young and 18 elderly subjects were participated in this study. Elderly subjects were divided into two groups: healthy and functionally impaired, according to their ability to rise from a 20 cm-high chair. Videotape motion analyses were used to collect kinematic data. Functionally impaired subjects showed: 1) an increase in time to rise and the percentage of the first phase, 2) a decrease in distance between the center of mass and base of support at lift-off, 3) a decrease in the maximum horizontal velocity of center of mass and, 4) an increase in flexion angle of trunk at lift-off. These results suggested that functionally impaired elderly may rise from a chair using a more mechanically stabilised postural control.
