Coordination of trunk and pelvis in young and elderly individuals during axial trunk rotation

Abstract

It has been well known that complex tasks such as walking and arm reaching can be achieved by the coordination of the trunk and pelvis. However, understanding of the effect of aging on the coordination of the trunk and pelvis during axial trunk rotation is still lacking. The present study examined relative phase of the trunk and pelvis during axial trunk rotation, and compared it between young and older groups. 22 healthy young (age: 23.9±4.6, gender: 11 male and 11 female) and 22 healthy elderly (age: 68.4±4.9, gender: 11 male and 11 female) individuals participated in the experiment and performed axial trunk rotation. Relative phase between the trunk and pelvis was calculated based on the angular displacements of the two segments. The results demonstrated age-related changes in coordination pattern of the trunk and pelvis during axial trunk rotation.