Clinical Biomechanics
Volume 25, Issue 2 , Pages 131-136, February 2010

The effect of obesity and gender on body segment parameters in older adults

  • April J. Chambers

      Affiliations

    • Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Address: Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, 323 Benedum Hall, 3700 O’Hara St., Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
    • ,
  • Alison L. Sukits

      Affiliations

    • Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
    • ,
  • Jean L. McCrory

      Affiliations

    • Department of Health and Physical Activity, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
    • Division of Exercise Physiology, Department of Human Performance and Applied Exercise Science, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
    • ,
  • Rakié Cham

      Affiliations

    • Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

Received 6 May 2009; accepted 29 October 2009. published online 11 December 2009.

Abstract 

Background

Anthropometry is a necessary aspect of aging-related research, especially in biomechanics and injury prevention. Little information is available on inertial parameters in the geriatric population that account for gender and obesity effects. The goal of this study was to report body segment parameters in adults aged 65years and older, and to investigate the impact of aging, gender and obesity.

Methods

Eighty-three healthy old (65–75years) and elderly (>75years) adults were recruited to represent a range of body types. Participants underwent a whole body dual energy X-ray absorptiometry scan. Analysis was limited to segment mass, length, longitudinal center of mass position, and frontal plane radius of gyration. A mixed-linear regression model was performed using gender, obesity, age group and two-way and three-way interactions (α=0.05).

Findings

Mass distribution varied with obesity and gender. Males had greater trunk and upper extremity mass while females had a higher lower extremity mass. In general, obese elderly adults had significantly greater trunk segment mass with less thigh and shank segment mass than all others. Gender and obesity effects were found in center of mass and radius of gyration. Non-obese individuals possessed a more distal thigh and shank center of mass than obese. Interestingly, females had more distal trunk center of mass than males.

Interpretation

Age, obesity and gender have a significant impact on segment mass, center of mass and radius of gyration in old and elderly adults. This study underlines the need to consider age, obesity and gender when utilizing anthropometric data sets.

Keywords: Anthropometry, Aging, Obesity

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PII: S0268-0033(09)00254-X

doi:10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2009.10.015

Clinical Biomechanics
Volume 25, Issue 2 , Pages 131-136, February 2010

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