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Walkers are frequently used by elderly people with weak lower limbs and limited balance, but the ergonomic relationship between the use of a walker and stress on the upper limbs is relatively unstudied. The current study assessed wrist deviation and vertical force among elderly individuals using a walker for assistance in walking. 60 elderly volunteers (M age = 81.0 yr., SD = 8.8) participated, 30 of whom frequently used a walker, and 30 who had no such prior experience. Data were obtained from four load cells and a twin-axis wrist goniometer during assisted ambulation using the walker. No significant group difference was found in gait cycle. Significant wrist deviation occurred, with ulnar deviation/dorsiflexion of the right hand, which was greater than that of the left. Non-experienced participants had larger dorsiflexion than experienced participants. Experienced participants produced larger vertical force than non-experienced participants. The greater the wrist deviation, the greater was the vertical force. The horizontal handles of most marketed walkers cause wrist deviations. This is a concern for users, clinicians, and related industries. Improvements in walker design should be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main contribution of this study is that it examined the sit-to-stand movements of elderly people and then established an assessment method to supplement the existing Berg Balance Scale for the risk of falling in elderly individuals. 36 elderly adults (M age = 69.9 yr., SD = 4.0) volunteered to participate in this study. Three key points of the sit-to-stand movement were confirmed as aspects of the ground reaction force: the onset, maximum ground reaction force, and seat-off. Based on the characteristics indicated by the force data, the sit-to-stand movement sequences of those who were evaluated at low fall risk with a Berg Balance Scale score between 41 and 55 were classified into three patterns: typical-modal, multimodal, and incompetent-modal patterns. With this increased accuracy, medical practitioners can determine more clearly those participants who require further immediate medical consultation and those that are not at risk of falling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research investigating walkers suggests that safety and assistance for the elderly with weak lower limbs were important. However, the relationship between the use of a walker and the upper limbs has received little investigation. Standing up and sitting down are important daily activities. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore wrist deviation and vertical force among elderly individuals using a walker for assistance to stand up and sit down. In total, 64 elderly volunteers (M age = 80.22, SD = 9.36) were enrolled. Data were obtained from four load cells and a twin-axis wrist goniometer. Wrist deviation and vertical force were examined when participants used a walker with horizontal handles to assist in standing up and sitting down. Significant wrist angle deviation occurred with the use of a walker, with dorsiflexion of the right hand greater than that of the left. Males exerted significantly greater vertical force. In the sitting position, greater ulnar deviation was seen among experienced walker users, whereas during standing, experienced users exhibited greater dorsiflexion. The horizontal handles of most marketed walkers may cause user wrist deviations, suggesting researchers should pursue improvements in walker design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three key points of the sit-to-stand (STS) movement were confirmed as aspects of the ground reaction force (GRF): the onset, maximum GRF, and seat-off. 46 healthy subjects (M age=22.2 yr., SD=4.4) participated. During the STS movement, two vertical force platforms were used to measure the resultant GRF, defined as the whole-body force, and its two components, the buttock and leg GRFs. The onsets of the component GRFs identified the sequence of the important time points in the STS movement more precisely than the onset of the resultant GRF. Data showed that the maximum whole-body GRF, the maximum GRF of both legs, and seat-off appeared in sequence and not simultaneously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to assess the ability of blindfolded, visually impaired, and sighted individuals to estimate object height as a function of cane length, cane diameter, and judgment type. 48 undergraduate students (ages 20 to 23 years) were recruited to participate in the study. Participants were divided into low-vision, severely myopic, and normal-vision groups. Five stimulus heights were explored with three cane lengths, varying cane diameters, and judgment types. The participants were asked to estimate the stimulus height with or without reference to a standard block. Results showed that the constant error ratio for estimated height improved with decreasing cane length and comparative judgment. The findings were unclear regarding the effect of cane length on haptic perception of height. Implications were discussed for designing environments, such as stair heights, chairs, the magnitude of apertures, etc., for visually impaired individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated whether three posture-transfer strategies, No support, Chair-arm, and Cane, were associated with the smallest hip-compressed angle and the smallest ankle-compressed angle during sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit for 12 elders (M age = 81.3 yr., SD = 5.9) who volunteered to participate. Using an optoelectronic movement analyzer, the smallest compressed angles of the hip and ankle were measured during standing up and sitting down. The adopted strategies had significant effects on the smallest hip-compressed angle, but not the smallest ankle-compressed angle. Although cane use led to a larger trunk angular displacement than did chair-arm use, a cane can provide help during the whole transfer process. These two strategies may be seen as adaptive mechanisms to decrease risk of anterior disequilibrium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]