title: A methodology to assess the upper extremity strength in a chair egress posture.
abstract: In this paper a method is presented which can be used to analyse the force distribution resulting from the application of force on the left and right armrest of a chair during the action of sitting down or standing up. The peak data for both hands can be combined to obtain the maximum for a trial on a specific chair configuration. This method is useful to assess the upper extremity limitations of an elderly or disabled population when rising from a seated position. The method involved the instrumentation, with strain gauges, of armrests of a prototype lounge chair obtained from a manufacturer of seating for the elderly. Provision for hand placement was included and the system was appropriately calibrated. The methodology presented may have a variety of applications, such as the assessment of seating requirements for the elderly or disabled, and the relative evaluation of a range of seats for nursing homes, clinics, hospitals and rehabilitation or recreational lounges.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, PO Box 800, King Saud University, Riyadh 11421, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Naqvi
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Stobbe
authors.forename: C F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Stanley