Article

OBJECTIVES:
To investigate which functional reach test better reflects the center of pressure
excursion, a 1-arm reach or a 2-arm reach, and to investigate the effect of trunk
rotation on the reach distance in a 1-arm reach. In addition, we considered the
influence of the individual variation at the starting position. DESIGN:
Descriptive study using a force platform and a 3-dimensional (3D) motion capture
system. SETTING: Motion analysis laboratory in a college setting. PARTICIPANTS:
Elderly volunteers (N=41; 15 men, 26 women; 71.8+/-5.2y). INTERVENTIONS: Not
applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: 3D coordinate data and the movement of the
center of pressure. RESULTS: The correlation between the reach distance and the
center of pressure excursion was significantly higher (P<.05) for the 1-arm reach
(r=.60, .72) compared with a 2-arm reach (r=.41, .55). In the case of the 1-arm
reach, center of pressure excursion was a significant factor affecting reach
distance (beta=.319, .470) in multivariate regression analysis, but trunk
rotation was not (beta=.162, .095). When the reach distance was measured using
the heel as a reference, the correlation was stronger. CONCLUSIONS: To evaluate
dynamic balance, a 1-arm reach, which better reflects center of pressure
excursion, is more valid. It is meaningful to reduce the individual variation of
the acromion at the starting position.

Langue : ANGLAIS