Effect of armrests and different ways of using them on hip and knee load during rising

The loading moments of force about the hip and knee joints of ten healthy male subjects were calculated using recorded forces from a force plate and static contribution from body segments. The subjects rose from a chair while using armrests in ten different ways, and, as a reference, without arm aid. The influence of different armrest heights, hand placements and arm forces was studied. Horizontal and vertical forces on the armrests were measured. Irrespective of armrest height and hand placement, the use of armrests significantly reduced the hip and knee moments compared to rising without arm aid (P < 0.001). However, there were no statistically significant differences between different armrest heights or hand placements. High arm force reduced both hip and knee moments. The greatest reduction occurred for high armrests and high arm force, which reduced the mean peak hip moment from 39 to 17 N m and the knee moment from 83 to 28 N m. Calculation of patellofemoral compressive force and the force on the femoral head due to extensor muscle activity demonstrated that local hip and knee forces were reduced when armrests were used. Horizontal forces applied to the armrests were small. Subjectively 'doubled' arm force resulted in nearly double force on the armrests.