Musculoskeletal Modelling of Three Sit-to-Stand Strategies in Elderly People

Master thesis (2021)

Authors

M.C. Hendriksen Mechanical Engineering

Contributors

E. van der Kruk Biomechatronics & Human-Machine Control - Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering (mentor)
F.C.T. van der Helm Biomechatronics & Human-Machine Control - Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering (mentor)
Faculty
Mechanical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
Copyright: © 2021 Maud Hendriksen
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Published Date

29-04-2021

Language

English

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Faculty

Mechanical Engineering

Abstract

Introduction: A thigh push-off is often used as a compensation strategy for standing up by elderly people. However, the biomechanics of this movement are not known. In this thesis the standing-up movement with the use of the thigh push-off strategy (TP), the armrest push-off strategy (AR) and the no arm aid strategy (NA) was analysed. The aim was to find out why TP for standing up is being used as a compensation strategy by elderly people.
Method: We examined upper and lower limb joint moments and lower limb muscle forces in three different sit-to-stand strategies in nine healthy elderly men. Inverse dynamics and static optimisation were done in OpenSim using a 3D musculoskeletal model.
Results: The lumbar extension moment in TP was significantly lower compared to NA (p=0.04). Rectus femoris force is lower in phase 2 in TP compared to AR. AR upper limb joint moments were significantly larger in dominant and non-dominant shoulder external rotation (p=0.02, p<0.01), elbow extension (p<0.001, p<0.001), and wrist flexion (p=0.04, p=0.02) compared to TP. Also, dominant shoulder abduction (p=0.04) moment was higher in AR compared to TP.
Conclusion: Elderly people probably use a thigh push-off to unload the lower back, but this could also be accomplished with AR. However, AR upper limb loading is higher com- pared to TP. TP is used to unload the lower back and upper limb joints.