Describing force patterns: a method for classifying sit-to-stand movement in elderly people

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.