Comparison of Motion Strategies in the Functional Reach Test between Elderly Persons and Young Persons

[Purpose] Evaluation of motion strategy during FRT is not generally included in physical assessment aiming at rehabilitation and promotion of good health. We believe that measuring only reach distance during FRT is insufficient for evaluating gait; therefore, examining motion strategy during FRT is also necessary. [Subjects] The subjects were 83 healthy university students (46 men and 37 women; range, 19-21 years), and 128 elderly persons (42 men and 86 women; range, 70-87 years). [Methods] We investigated and compared the motion strategy during FRT in both the young and elderly subjects and examined the influence of aging on motion strategy. [Results] Elderly persons used patterns of movement with ankle plantar flexion more often than the young persons. [Conclusion] The ankle plantar flexion pattern was dominant among the elderly subjects because the center of gravity in FRT was located within the base of support. We would like to use FRT as an index for fall prevention. To do that, we would need to devise a method to measure the ability to control the body in the situation in which center of gravity starts deviating from the base of support.