Three-dimensional thoracic and pelvic kinematics and arm swing maximum velocity in older adults using inertial sensor system

Understanding characteristics of torso motion and arm swing of older adults is important. A comprehensive database of three-dimensional thoracic and pelvic kinematics and arm swing maximum velocity of older adults during overground walking is still lacking. Moreover, the relationships between these variables are not fully understood. Therefore, we investigated age and gender effects of three-dimensional thoracic and pelvic ranges of motion and arm swing maximum velocity in 113 healthy old adults (aged 60–89 years) in a 2-min walk test using APDM Movement Monitoring inertial sensor system by two-way ANOVA, and post hoc Bonferroni correction was applied for multiple comparisons between age groups. A paired t-test was used to study the side preference of arm swing maximum velocity. The relationships between variables were investigated via multiple linear regression models. In general, thoracic and pelvic motions showed reduced amplitude with aging. Gait speed, pelvis coronal plane motion and arm swing maximum velocity significantly declined with age. Only the pelvic sagittal plane motion showed a gender main effect. Coronal plane motions of the thorax and pelvis were closely associated, as were sagittal plane motions. Thoracic coronal plane motion was the significant variable influencing pelvic transverse plane motion and vice versa. Gait speed, pelvic coronal and transverse plane motions and thorax sagittal plane motion were significant independent variables that influenced dominant arm maximum velocity. A larger maximum velocity was seen in the left arm. This investigation is valuable for better understanding of gait phenomena and will contribute to identification of gait dysfunction and development of rehabilitation measures.