Physical measurements in an elderly black population: knee height as the dominant indicator of stature.

This investigation examined (a) select physical measurements for age and gender differences in an elderly Black population, and (b) the relationship of stature as a dependent variable on knee height, weight, age, and gender in this population. T-test values were greater for men than for women in stature and knee height (p < .001), whereas gender differences in weight were not significant. Multiple regression was used to determine the relationship of stature to the four independent variables. When all Black subjects (n = 119) were included, three variables were significant: 3 square root knee height, gender, and 3 square root weight (R2 = .49). The equation inclusive only of the 98 Black females contained two variables: knee height2 and 3 square root weight (R2 = .29). The probability of both R2's was < .001. In decreasing order, knee height, gender, and weight were important in predicting stature; age was not significant.