Comparison of vertical ground reaction forces between female elderly and young adults during sit-to-stand and gait using the Nintendo Wii Balance Board

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze and compare vertical ground reaction forces during sit to stand (STS) and gait between female elderly and young individuals using the Wii Balance Board (WBB). Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Fifty-one female elderly people (age: 75.18±4.60 years), and 13 young people (age: 29.85±3.69 years) performed the five times STS test and gait respectively on the WBB. We analyzed time (s), vertical peak (%), integral summation (Int_SUM, %), and counter variables (%) in STS and 1st peak (body weight, BW%), 2nd peak (BW%), peak minimum (BW%), time (second), center of pressure (COP) path length (mm), and Int_SUM (BW%) in gait. The independent t-test was used to assess for differences in STS, gait ability, and general characteristics between the female elderly group and young adults group. With the first and last trials excluded, the mean value was obtained from the middle three of the five trials. Results: During STS, Int_SUM and time of young adults were significantly less than of the female elderly subjects. There were no significant differences in peak and counter variables. In gait, all variables (1st peak, 2nd peak, min, time, COP_path, and Int_SUM) showed significant differences between groups (p<0.05). This study demonstrated that the validity of vertical ground reaction forces occurring during STS and gait was significant in female elderly and young adults. Conclusions: Based on the measurement of vertical ground reaction forces in STS and gait using the WBB, it is possible to clinically improve the quality of geriatric physical therapy. Further studies are necessary to examine concurrent validity of elderly patients who have undergone total hip or knee replacement.

Force profile of the two-handed hardstyle kettlebell swing in novice older adults: an exploratory profile

“…For older adults, the average peak force during swings was almost half that of the Instructor (52.1%), with a mean difference of 4.2 N.kg −1 , highlighting scope for potential improvement from training. Age has previously been shown to have no effect on peak GRF during lifting (Lim et al 2018b; Shin et al 2006), but moderate differences between sex have been observed during Sit-To-Stand tasks in community dwelling older adults (males > females) (Tsuji et al 2015). In the absence of sex-specific health or medical conditions, these results suggest that choice of kettlebell weight should be influenced by bodyweight, strength and/or stature rather than sex.…”