Active mobility of the extremities in older subjects.

The purposes of this study were to expand the data base of active range of motion (ROM) in the upper and lower extremities of older persons measured by goniometry and to determine if differences exist related to age, sex, and physical activity. Active ROM was measured with a clinical goniometer in 28 joint motions of the upper and lower extremities of the right side in 60 older subjects. Thirty men and 30 women were equally divided in two age groups of 60 to 69 and 75 to 84 years of age. Multivariate analysis of variance showed no significant differences in ROM that were attributable to sex and age. In univariate tests, however, 12 motions were significantly different (p less than .05) between the sexes, but only in 4 motions was the difference greater than intertester error. Physical activity, as assessed by a questionnaire and a rating scale, was not related to specific changes of joint range. Within the older subjects, however, a significant relationship between ROM and age or ROM and physical activity cannot be assumed. These results suggest that a data base of normative values is needed for older individuals.