This article is part of a series on Motor Control in the Elderly, edited by Silvestro Micera.

Research

Effects of an adapted physical activity program in a group of elderly subjects with flexed posture: clinical and instrumental assessment

Maria Grazia Benedetti , Lisa Berti , Chiara Presti , Antonio Frizziero and Sandro Giannini

Movement Analysis Laboratory, Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, via di Barbiano 1/10, 40136 Bologna, Italy

author email corresponding author email

Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation 2008, 5:32doi:10.1186/1743-0003-5-32

Published:	25 November 2008

Abstract

Background

Flexed posture commonly increases with age and is related to musculoskeletal impairment and reduced physical performance. The purpose of this clinical study was to systematically compare the effects of a physical activity program that specifically address the flexed posture that marks a certain percentage of elderly individuals with a non specific exercise program for 3 months.

Methods

Participants were randomly divided into two groups: one followed an Adapted Physical Activity program for flexed posture and the other one completed a non-specific physical activity protocol for the elderly. A multidimensional clinical assessment was performed at baseline and at 3 months including anthropometric data, clinical profile, measures of musculoskeletal impairment and disability. The instrumental assessment of posture was realized using a stereophotogrammetric system and a specific biomechanical model designed to describe the reciprocal position of the body segments on the sagittal plane in a upright posture.

Results

The Adapted Physical Activity program determined a significant improvement in several key parameters of the multidimensional assessment in comparison to the non-specific protocol: decreased occiput-to-wall distance, greater lower limb range of motion, better flexibility of pectoralis, hamstrings and hip flexor muscles, increased spine extensor muscles strength. Stereophotogrammetric analysis confirmed a reduced protrusion of the head and revealed a reduction in compensative postural adaptations to flexed posture characterized by knee flexion and ankle dorsiflexion in the participants of the specific program.

Conclusion

The Adapted Physical Activity program for flexed posture significantly improved postural alignment and musculoskeletal impairment of the elderly. The stereophotogrammetric evaluation of posture was useful to measure the global postural alignment and especially to analyse the possible compensatory strategies at lower limbs in flexed posture.