THE KINEMATICS AND KINETICS OF THE SIT-TO-STAND MOVEMENT IN YOUNG CHILDREN

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the kinematics and kinetics of the sit-to-stand (STS) movement in young children. The subjects were 12 children in three age groups: 12-18 (N=5), 24-36 (N=3), and 48-60 (N=4) months. Subjects were videotaped as they stood up from a seat adjusted to knee height. Data on forces at the feet and buttocks were collected simultaneously using two force platforms. Overall, the STS movement in the children was characterized by fast movement times (c. 1.2 s), large hip joint range of motion, large hip flexion angles, large vertical ground reaction forces at the feet, and hip joint moments of greater magnitude than knee joint moments. There was a trend toward increasing joint ranges of motion, velocities, forces, and moments with increasing age, with the oldest children having results quite similar to adults.