Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Using the Newly Developed Floor-Sitting Movement Analysis Proforma to Study the Effect of Age and Activity on Floor-Sitting in Indian Adults

  • ORIGINAL ARTICLE
  • Published:
Journal of Cross-Cultural Gerontology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Floor-sitting is culturally relevant to the Indian context. The present study aimed to examine the effect of age and activity on the movement patterns used and time taken to perform floor-sitting in Indian adults. Video-recordings of 30 young (23.30 ± 2.53 years) and 30 older (69.67 ± 6.45 years) adults performing floor-sitting without and with an activity (simulated feeding) were analyzed using the Floor-sitting Movement Analysis Proforma (FMAP) developed for the study. For inter-rater reliability of the FMAP, two raters analyzed the performance of a random sample of 20 participants. An almost perfect inter-rater agreeability (κ ≥ .8) was obtained for the FMAP. Cross-legged sitting was the most preferred (95%) floor-sitting position. Older adults used more number of movement components, asymmetrical patterns, more support, and more time (p < .001) as compared to the young adults. The activity facilitated the use of optimal movement strategies in young and older adults. The activity significantly increased time taken to rise from floor-sitting (p = .004). The study establishes the influence of age and activity on performance of floor-sitting. Older adults use lower developmental movement patterns that may be a “normal” adaptation to age-related sensorimotor changes. Retraining of floor-sitting is a “culturally” desired goal among Indian adults and should involve the practice of age-appropriate movement patterns in the context of meaningful activities.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Alexander, N. B., Schultz, A. B., & Warwick, D. N. (1991). Rising from a chair: effect of age and functional ability on performance biomechanics. Journal of Gerontology, 46, 91–98. doi:10.1093/geronj/46.3.M91.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • American Occupational Therapy Association (2008). Occupational therapy practice framework: domain and process 2nd edition. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 62(6), 625–683. doi:10.5014/ajot.62.6.625.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aniansson, A., Hedberg, M., Henning, G. B., & Grimby, G. (1986). Muscle morphology, enzymatic activity, and muscle strength in elderly men: a follow-up study. Muscle and Nerve, 9(7), 585–591. doi:10.1002/mus.880090702.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bridger, R. S. (1991). Some fundamental aspects of posture related to ergonomics. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 8, 3–15. doi:10.1016/0169-8141(91)90021-D.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Buchner, D. M., & deLateur, B. J. (1991). The importance of skeletal muscle strength to physical function in older adults. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 13, 91–98.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ford-Smith, C. A., & VanSant, A. F. (1993). Age difference in movement patterns used to rise from a bed in subjects in the third through fifth decades of age. Physical Therapy, 73(5), 24–33 Retrieved from http://ptjournal.apta.org/.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gabell, A., & Nayak, U. S. L. (1984). The effect of age on variability in gait. Journal of Gerontology, 39, 662–666. doi:10.1093/geronj/39.6.662.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goel, P. K., Garg, S. K., Singh, J. V., Bhatnagar, M., Chopra, H., & Bajpai, S. K. (2006). Activity status of elderly in a rural area (letter to editor). Indian Journal of Community Medicine, 32(2), 149. doi:10.4103/0970-0218.35661.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gurr, K., Straker, L., & Moore, P. (1998). Cultural hazards in the transfer of ergonomics technology. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 22, 397–404. doi:10.1016/S0169-8141(97)00094-2.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haywood, K. M., & Getchell, N. (1986). Life span motor development (1st ed.). Champaign: Human Kinetics.

    Google Scholar 

  • Imms, F. J., & Edholm, O. G. (1981). Studies of gait and mobility in the elderly. Age and Ageing, 10, 147–156. doi:10.1093/ageing/10.3.147.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ketcham, C. J., & Stelmach, G. E. (2001). Age-related declines in motor control. In J. E. Birren & K. W. Schaie (Eds.), Handbook of the psychology of aging (pp. 320–332). San Diego: Elsevier.

    Google Scholar 

  • Madden, D. J. (2001). Speed and timing of behavioral processes. In J. E. Birren & K. W. Schaie (Eds.), Handbook of the psychology of aging (pp. 288–305). San Diego: Elsevier.

    Google Scholar 

  • Manchester, D., Woollacott, M., Zederbauer-Hylton, N., & Marin, O. (1989). Visual, vestibular and somatosensory contributions to balance control in the older adult. Journal of Gerontology, 44(4), 118–127. doi:10.1093/geronj/44.4.M118.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Millington, P. J., Myklebust, B. M., & Shambes, G. M. (1992). Biomechanical analysis of the sit to stand motion in elderly persons. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 73, 609–617.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mosey, A. C. (1986). Psychosocial components of occupational therapy. New York: Raven.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mulholland, S. J., & Wyss, U. P. (2001). Activities of daily living in non- western cultures: range of motion requirements for hip and knee joint implants. International Journal of Rehabilitation Research, 24, 191–198. doi:10.1097/00004356-200109000-00004.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Murray, M. P., Kory, R. C., & Clarkson, B. H. (1969). Walking patterns in healthy older men. Journal of Gerontology, 24, 169–178. doi:10.1093/geronj/24.2.169.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nilsson, I., Löfgren, B., Fisher, A. G., & Bernspång, B. (2006). Focus on leisure repertoire in the oldest old: the Umeå 85 + study. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 25(5), 391–405. doi:10.1177/0733464806292861.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pai, Y. C., Naughton, B. J., Chang, R. W., & Rogers, M. W. (1994). Control of body centre of mass momentum during sit-to-stand among young and elderly adults. Gait & Posture, 2, 109–116. doi:10.1016/0966-6362(94)90100-7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sen, R. N. (1984). The ergonomics society: the society's lecture 1983, the Churchill College, Cambridge, England, on 24 March. Ergonomics, 27(10), 1021–1032. doi:10.1080/00140138408963583.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shumway-Cook, A., & Woollacott, M. (2007). Motor control: translating research into clinical practice (3rd ed.). Seattle: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh, U., & Wason, S. S. (1988). Multiaxial orthotic hip joint for squatting and cross-legged sitting with hip-knee-ankle-foot-orthosis. Prosthetics and Orthotics International, 12(2), 101–102 Retrieved from informahealthcare.com.

    Google Scholar 

  • Skeleton, D. A., Greig, C. A., Davies, J. M., & Young, A. (1994). Strength, power and related functional ability of healthy people aged 65–89 years. Age and Ageing, 23(5), 371–377. doi:10.1093/ageing/23.5.371.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Steffen, T. M., Hacker, T. A., & Mollinger, L. (2002). Age- and gender- related test performance in community dwelling elderly people: six minute walk test, berg balance scale, timed up & go test, and gait speeds. Physical Therapy, 82(2), 128–137 Retrieved from http://ptjournal.apta.org/.

    Google Scholar 

  • Swan, L., Otani, H., Loubert, P. V., Sheffert, S. M., & Dunbar, G. L. (2004). Improving balance by performing a secondary cognitive task. British Journal of Psychology, 95(1), 31–40. doi:10.1348/000712604322779442.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thomas, R. L., Williams, A. K., & Lundy-Ekman, L. (1998). Supine to stand in elderly persons: relationship to age, activity level, strength, and range of motion. APTA Section on Geriatrics: Issues on Aging, 21(1), 9–18.

    Google Scholar 

  • VanSant, A. F. (1988a). Age differences in movement patterns used by children to rise from a supine position to erect stance. Physical Therapy, 68, 1330–1338 Retrieved from http://ptjournal.apta.org/.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vansant, A. F. (1988b). Rising from a supine position to erect stance: description of adult movement and a developmental hypothesis. Physical Therapy, 68(2), 185–192 Retrieved from http://ptjournal.apta.org/.

    Google Scholar 

  • VanSant, A. F. (1990). Life-span development in functional tasks. Physical Therapy, 70(12), 788–798 Retrieved from http://ptjournal.apta.org/.

    Google Scholar 

  • Woollacott, M. H., & Shumway-Cook, A. (1990). Changes in postural control across the life span- a systems approach. Physical Therapy, 70, 799–807 Retrieved from http://ptjournal.apta.org/.

    Google Scholar 

  • World Healh Organizaion (2002). Active ageing: a policy framework (Pub. No. WHO/NMH/NPH/02.8). Geneva, Switzerland: WHO. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/publications/en/

  • Wu, G. (1998). Age-related differences in body segmental movement during perturbed stance in humans. Clinical Biomechanics, 13(4–5), 300–307. doi:10.1016/S0268-0033(98)00068-0.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Gerontology, College of Health and Human Services, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA

    Anjana Nagrajan

  2. Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Allied Health Sciences, Manipal University, Manipal, India

    Sebestina A. D’Souza

Authors
  1. Anjana Nagrajan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Sebestina A. D’Souza
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Anjana Nagrajan.

Appendices

Appendix 1

Fig. 3
figure 3

Secondary movement components within Initiation and Descent during Stance-Sit (with and without activity)

Full size image
Fig. 4
figure 4

Secondary movement components within Transition during Stance-Sit or Sit-Stance (with and without activity)

Full size image
Fig. 5
figure 5

Secondary movement components indicating first contact with the floor during Stance-Sit (with and without activity)

Full size image
Fig. 6
figure 6

Sitting positions identified on the FMAP

Full size image
Fig. 7
figure 7

Secondary movement components within Initiation and Ascent during Sit-Stance (with and without activity)

Full size image

Appendix 2

Floor-sitting Movement Analysis Proforma (Sample)

figure a

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Nagrajan, A., D’Souza, S.A. Using the Newly Developed Floor-Sitting Movement Analysis Proforma to Study the Effect of Age and Activity on Floor-Sitting in Indian Adults. J Cross Cult Gerontol 32, 71–93 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10823-016-9310-4

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10823-016-9310-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation