Daily sit-to-stand transitions may provide indicators of older adults’ physical functioning
Supporting independent living is a significant goal for aging Finland, especially from the perspectives of individual well-being and societal resources. As individuals age, their physical performance declines, which can make daily activities more challenging and thus complicate independent living for older adults. The daily routines of older adults involve many activities requiring lower extremity strength, such as sit-to-stand (STS) transitions and stair climbing, with STS transitions being particularly essential for maintaining independent living.
Previously, there has been limited research on STS transitions in a free-living environment. Current wearable sensor technology, however, has made such research possible. A recent doctoral dissertation demonstrated that daily STS transitions can be reliably detected and their velocity accurately determined using an accelerometer attached to the thigh.
“The objective methodology proposed in this study for measuring daily free-living STS transitions enhances our comprehension of the physical activity of older adults,” says Doctoral Researcher Antti Löppönen.
The results suggest that the number and velocity of STS transitions differ among age groups and genders. In this study, men performed more and faster STS transitions than women did. Daily STS transitions were positively correlated with physical functional assessments conducted in a laboratory setting, such as the maximal isometric knee-extension strength. Additionally, the number and velocity of STS transitions were negatively correlated with the fear of falling and difficulties in stair walking.
In the study, the daily physical activity of older adults was measured using an accelerometer the size of a matchbox for three to seven days. All STS transitions during the monitoring period were detected, and their velocity was quantified using an algorithm developed in this study.
“A particularly interesting observation was that the velocity distribution of STS transitions differed among individuals,” notes ööԱ, “with those having imitated physical functioning showing a narrower distribution compared to those without physical functional limitations. This may suggest that individuals with functional limitations have fewer opportunities to regulate the velocity of activities in their daily lives.”
The doctoral dissertation provided indications that free-living STS transitions may reflect the adequacy of lower extremity muscle strength and predict the decline in physical functioning among older adults. Daily strength-demanding activities, especially their velocity distribution, could potentially be indicators in wearable sensor applications for the early identification of declining physical function. Moreover, they could potentially be used to monitor the progress of the rehabilitation process.
M.Sc. Antti Löppönen will defens his doctoral dissertation in biomechanics “Free-living sit-to-stand kinematics as indicator of lower extremity functional ability” on 24 November 2023 at 12 noon in C1 of the main building of the Ģֱ. To follow the defence online, go to
Professor Gladys Pearson (Manchester Metropolitan University, UK) is the opponent and academy researcher Timo Rantalainen (Ģֱ, Finland) will serve as custos. The defence will be held in English. The dissertation has been published in the online publication series JYU Dissertations 709, ISSN 2489-9003; 709, ISBN 978-951-39-9792-2 (PDF) and can be read in the JYX publication archive: . The dissertation is part of an international joint PhD degree (Cotutelle) completed in cooperation with KU Leuven (Belgium).
Antti Löppönen graduated as an engineer from Metropolia University of Applied Sciences in 2011 and as a physiotherapist from Lahti University of Applied Sciences in 2016. Löppönen graduated with a master’s degree in health sciences in 2020, and a master’s degree in sports science in 2021. Since 2020, Löppönen has been working at the Faculty Sport and Health Sciences as a doctoral researcher.
Further information:
Antti Löppönen
antti.ej.lopponen@jyu.fi
+358 40 6201 771
