The effect of chair height on gait initiation during sit-to-walk: a basic study in healthy young adults

Masakazu Ii, Kazuhiro Suzuki, Yukihiro Sumiya, Takeyuki Yamanaka, Akira Kanai
Purpose:

We aimed to investigate the effect of chair height on gait initiation movements in STW.

Methods:

The participants were 13 healthy young men (30.6±6.0 years). Three chair heights were assessed (low; 75% of the leg length, normal; 100%, and high; 125%), and the participants stood from the chair and walked as fast as possible. The step length and velocity were measured using a digital video camera and three-axis accelerometer. Step length and velocity were compared among the three groups using data from 1–10 steps. Using data from 12 steps, the step-length coefficient of variation (length CV) and step-velocity CV (velocity CV) were measured every 1–3 steps, and the number of steps required to walk stably were compared. The forward trunk tilt angle and center of gravity movement speed were measured using a digital video camera footage. Friedman’s test was used to compare the three groups, and the significance level was set at 5%.


Results:

In STW from a low chair, the first-step length was narrower and first-step velocity was slower than in the other groups. There were no significant differences in the number of steps required to achieve stable walking in any group for step and velocity CVs. The trunk forward lean angle was higher from the low chair height, followed by the normal and high chair heights (P0.05). The center of gravity shift upward velocity was faster in the low chair height, followed by the normal and high chair heights (P0.01).

Conclusion(s):

In performing STW from a low chair, the first-step length was narrow and first-step velocity was slow as a gait initiation movement. This may be due to the high forward trunk tilt angle, which caused the foot to step down in unstably. Because the participants were healthy young individuals, it is possible that in performing STW from a low chair, the unstable first step could be converted into stable walking from the second step onwards.


Implications:

Therapists may help prevent falls by instructing patients on the appropriate chair height during treatment and community activities. Eventually, we will conduct a survey targeting older adults.


Funding acknowledgements:
Intramural funding for this study was provided by the Department of Physical Therapy, Toyohashi SOZO University
Keywords:
Sit to walk
Chair height
Gait initiation
Primary topic:
Health promotion and wellbeing/healthy ageing/physical activity
Did this work require ethics approval?:
Yes
Name the institution and ethics committee that approved your work:
Ethics Review Committee of Department of Physical Therapy, Toyohashi SOZO University
Provide the ethics approval number:
H2024001
Has any of this material been/due to be published or presented at another national or international conference prior to the World Physiotherapy Congress 2025?:
No

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