Evaluation of body center of mass sway during sit to stand in healthy elderly and fall-risk elderly by Kinect-Based Exergames device

Abstract

Background and Objective: The older adults are aged as decreased of balance control ability which may increase their risk of fall. The purpose of this study was to compare the body center of mass sway during sit to stand, assessed by Kinect-Based Exergames device, between healthy elderly and fall-risk elderly. Method: Forty healthy elders who aged more than 60 years (mean age 68.93 ± 5.70 years). They were divided into two group, 20 fall-risk elders and 20 normal balance elders. All subjects performed five time sit-to-stand test (FTSST) while kinematic of center of mass (COM) was assessed by kinematic assessment tool with software using Kinect. Independent t-test statistic was used to compare each variable and significant levels were set at p < 0.05. Results: The results showed that fall-risk elderly had higher range of Mediolateral (ML COM sway) and Anteroposterior (AP COM sway) during FTSST testing than normal balance elderly significantly (p < 0.01). Conclusion: The fall-risk elderly had higher body center of mass sway during postural changing and risk of fall than normal balance elderly.

Key words: Center of Mass (COM) sway, Elderly, Risk of fall, Balance, Kinect