Physical Parameters of the Elderly.
- Author:
Seung Han YANG
1
;
Won Iel LEE
;
Kyong Hwa KIM
;
Jong In LEE
;
Jun Yong JANG
;
Kyong A LEE
Author Information
1. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, College of Medicine.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Physical parameters;
Elderly
- MeSH:
Aged*;
Body Weight;
Congenital Abnormalities;
Female;
Hand;
Hand Strength;
Humans;
Joints;
Knee Joint;
Lower Extremity;
Range of Motion, Articular;
Reference Values;
Self-Help Devices;
Shoulder;
Spine;
Thorax;
Upper Extremity
- From:Journal of the Korean Academy of Rehabilitation Medicine
1999;23(2):418-424
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE: To obtain the mean value of physical parameters of those over 65- years of age. METHODS: Physical parameters including body weight, height, chest circumference, length of upper limb and lower limb, hand power, and range of motion of cervical, thoracic, lumbosacral spines and other major joints were measured in two hundred fourteen elderly subjects. RESULTS: Subjects were divided into three groups according to age (group 1, 65~74 years; group 2, 75~84 years; group 3, above 85 years) and sex (male; female). Descriptive statistical analysis of data provided the following results. 1) Mean measurement in order of group 1-men, group 2-men, group 3-men followed by women of each group: Body weight (kg) - 60.2, 59.6, 54.9, 56.8, 51.6, 47.2; Standing height (cm) - 156.7, 160.8, 156.6, 151.2, 146.9, 142.2; Sitting height (cm) - 99.8, 100.8, 103.1, 100.9, 104.9, 97.0; Chest circumference (cm) - 91.5, 93.5, 91.4, 92.1, 89.5, 86.4; Upper limb length (cm) - 72.3, 72.5, 71.3, 67.1, 66.9, 65.4; Lower limb length (cm) - 82.3, 82.1, 81.4, 77.3, 76.1, 74.6. 2) The hand power of grasping, tip pinch, lateral pinch, palmar pinch showed a decreasing trend in older age group in both sexes. 3) The range of motion of cervical, thoracic, and lumbosacral spine in group 1 had limitation of about 50% compared to normal range. 4) Of the major joints, limitation of motion or deformity was most common in the shoulder and knee joints. CONCLUSION: These data and knowledge of physical parameters of the elderly can aid in design of living environment and assistive devices for elderly.
