The porpose of this study was to investigate participation of upper extremity in geriatric gait. We found markedly clear difference between the elder group and the younger group; it was found there was a correlation between the participation of upper extremity and walking speed.
The subjects tested for comparison were 21 elders (average age: 67) and 17 young males (average age: 22).
The method included filming with 16mm movie camera of the subjects who were marker at each joint (acromion, olecranon and ulnar head) and walked on specially prepared board platform. Analysis of the data obtained was made possible using motion analyzer.
1) The major difference between the elder group and the younger group:
a) The maximum degree of elbow extension reached 0° in the younger group and the elder group lacked 20° to full extension.
b) The maximum degree of shoulder flexion was approximately 20° in the younger group while the elder group remained as 0°.
c) In regards to the timing required for reaching maximal flexion of shoulder and maximal flexion of elbow, they both reached maximal flexion before the heel contact of ipsilateral side in the elder group. In the younger group, however, shoulder flexion was maximal at the time of heel contact of ipsilateral side and the elbow flexion reached maximal after heel contact of the ipsilateral side.
2) The correlation between participation of upper extremity in gait and walking speed was as follows:
a) Marked correlation between the maximal degree of shoulder flexion and elbow extension was observed (r≈0.7), and there was correlation between the maximal degree of shoulder extension and elbow flexion (r≈0.6).
b) Maximal degree of elbow extension was closely related to the step length and cadence (r>0.7).
c) In regards to the timing required for reaching maximal extension of shoulder and maximal extension of elbow, they both reached maximal stage before the heel contact of the contralateral side in the elder group. In the younger group, however, shoulder extension was maximal at heel contact of contralateral side and elbow extension was maximal after heel contact of contralateral side.

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