[Differences in momentum development when standing up from a chair between elderly with and without frequent falls history]

[Differences in biomechanical parameters during sit to stand transfer between elderly with and without history of frequent falls]

INTRODUCTION

The phenomenon of frequent falls (FF) is a health problem in the older population, and is a reason why tools need to be designed for the objective assessment of the risk of FF. In this sense the use of biomechanical parameters could be of use in designing these. The aim of this work was to describe the biomechanical differences registered during a sit to stand transfer (STS) between subjects with and without a history of frequent falls.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

A sample of sixty voluntary older adults were assessed, divided in two groups of thirty subjects. The first group was composed of older adults without history of frequent falls (WoHFF) and the other group with history of frequent falls (WHFF). In both groups the velocity of the mass centre, the anterior flexion of the trunk, the joint and support moments of the lower extremity and the time of execution during the TSB was assessed.

RESULTS

The subjects WHFF generate a slower vertical velocity (P<0.001), lower slope (P<0.001), greater anterior trunk flexion (P<0.0001), lower support moment (P=0.001) and took longer in executing the STS (P=0.0001) than the group WoHFF.

CONCLUSIONS

Differences exist in the biomechanical parameters registered during the STS between the elderly WHFF and WoHFF. The results indicate that the function of the hip extensor muscles could have an important role in the execution of the STS in subjects WHFF. The biomechanical parameters assessed during the STS should be considered as useful tools to distinguish between subjects WHFF and WoHFF, and should be considered in the design of tools to determine the risk of frequent falls.