INTRODUCTION

Rising from a chair is a task that we frequently perform. How a person rises from a chair may affect the amount of force on the spine. As we age, a person may lose strength and balance required to perform the task. Therefore, it is important to find ways to modify how we perform these every day tasks to avoid unnecessary strain on our joints, muscles, and bones. Two commonly used methods of rising from a chair include rising with the use of the arm rests, and rising with the hands placed on the thighs. A previous study found that older individuals flex their trunk more than younger people. It also found (in both young and old subjects) that there is more trunk flexion when rising without arm rests, as compared to having the hands placed on the arm rests (Miller, 1990). Trunk flexion is an important aspect of the task since it makes up a large range of the motion involved.

The purpose of our study, therefore, is to determine which method minimizes strain on the back. Studying this topic is important because of the implications it may have for elderly and pregnant women finding difficulty in rising from a chair from the seated to standing position. In trying to answer this question, we feel that it was best to analyze these two movements as they were performed by a healthy individual.