Affiliations: [a] Department of Rehabilitation and Care, Seijoh University, Aichi, Japan | [b] Department of Physical Therapy, School of Health Sciences, Toyohashi SOZO University, Aichi, Japan | [c] School of Social Work, Seirei Christopher University, Shizuoka, Japan | [d] Department of Advanced Medicine, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Aichi, Japan
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Susumu Ota, Department of Rehabilitation and Care, Seijoh University, 2-172 Fukinodai, Tokai, Aichi 476-8588, Japan. Tel.: +81 52 601 6735; Fax: +81 52 601 6001; E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: BACKGROUND:Posture and physical function have been quantified in mature adults, but not in elderly females. OBJECTIVE:To quantify standing posture and measures of physical function in community-dwelling women over the age of 65 years, and to examine relationships between these variables. METHODS:Fifty-three women were recruited from day care service users (average age: 83.7 ± 6.3 years old). Standing postural alignments were assessed using 2-dimensional analyses with a digital video camera. The time up and go test (TUG) and other physical function tests were conducted. RESULTS:Decreased lower cervical angle (increased forward head position) was significantly correlated with increased upper cervical angle (increased chin-up, r=−0.45), increased thoracic spine angle (increased kyphosis, r=−0.38), and decreased lumbar spine angle (thoracolumbar segments backward relative to the pelvis, r=0.48). The decreased lumbar spine angle was significantly correlated with increased thoracic angle (increased kyphosis, r=−0.37), increased pelvic plane angle (increased anterior pelvic tilt, r=−0.49), and decreased knee flexion angle (r=0.46). Increased TUG time (slower walking speed) was correlated to increased forward head position (r=0.30) and thoracolumbar segments forward relative to the pelvis (r=0.34). CONCLUSIONS:Posture and physical function measures were provided for community-dwelling females who were >65 years of age. They did not demonstrate any correlation between measured knee strength, back strength or single leg standing with measures of postural alignment, but TUG showed a moderate correlation with the lower cervical and lumbar spine posture measures.
Keywords: Posture, frail elderly women, physical function
