Free-living sit-to-stand kinematics as indicator of lower extremity functional ability

The aim of this study is to investigate whether free-living sit-to-stand transition kinematic parameters are an indicator of lower extremity functional ability. In addition, the aim is to investigate whether free-living sit-to-stand transition kinematic parameters are predictive of prospective changes in functional performance. The study questions are: Can free-living sit-to-stand transition kinematic characteristics be detected reliably among community-dwelling older adults? What degree of congruence exists between laboratory-measured sit-to-stand test kinematic characteristics and free-living sit-to-stand characteristics in community-dwelling older adults? How do free-living sit-to-stand transition kinematic characteristics vary between different age groups throughout the adult lifespan? Does free-living sit-to-stand transition kinematic characteristics predict prospective lower extremity functional performance change, over a two-year follow-up? During this PhD, I publish 4 papers in international, peer-reviewed scientific journals. The data for this PhD study comprises two datasets. The first dataset is the already existing Active Ageing – Resilience and external support as modifiers of the disablement outcome (AGNES)-study. AGNES-study (N=1021) was conducted in the Gerontology Research Center (GEREC), Faculty of Sports and Health Sciences, the University of Jyväskylä. The data collection for the second dataset (N=400) is already ongoing and will be completed during the doctoral candidature at KU Leuven, Department of Movement Sciences. The LEUVEN-study is a follow-up study that includes laboratory measurements (SPPB, stair climbing, 6 min walking test). The AGNES-study data are already available. Data analysis and algorithm development started in the spring of 2020. Leuven-study data collection began in January 2020 and follow-up data collection will be finished in autumn 2022. The analysis of LEUVEN data will be carried out in 2021 and 2023.