Locomotive Syndrome Assessment in Older Adults Using a Single Inertial Measurement Unit

Locomotive syndrome (LS) is a condition of reduced mobility due to the malfunction of the locomotive system. There is an unmet need for easy quantitative methods for LS assessment. In this study for the first time, we investigated the feasibility of LS assessment in older participants while conducting the five time sit to stand to sit (FTSTS) using a single inertial measurement unit. In total 36 older (76.22±10.13) and 12 younger participants (29.66±6.9) were recruited. Older participants were categorized into two groups of those with LS and those without. A single inertial measurement unit attached to the lower back of participants was used to record the motion data of participants while they conducted the FTSTS test. We extracted 41 metrics from the FTSTS recorded data of participants. Eight metrics were found significantly different in older LS participants compared to those without LS. The results suggest that these metrics can be used for quantitative LS assessment in older adults.