title: Characteristics of older adults with self-reported stooping, crouching, or kneeling difficulty.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Stooping, crouching, and kneeling (SCK) are fundamental components of daily living tasks, and nearly a quarter of older adults report a lot of difficulty or inability to perform these movements. This study examined characteristics associated with SCK difficulty to explore underlying mechanisms and remediation strategies.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred eighty-four older adults with no, low, or high SCK difficulty underwent a comprehensive laboratory visit at the University of Michigan.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-one percent of participants (n = 39) reported a lot of difficulty or inability to stoop, crouch, or kneel. Characteristics independently associated with increasing SCK difficulty were self-reported leg joint limitations, (odds ratio [OR] = 3.84; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.64-9.01), Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale score (OR = 0.97; 95% CI, 0.95-0.99), and knee extension strength (OR = 0.72; 95% CI, 0.55-0.94).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Increasing SCK difficulty is associated with balance confidence as well as leg limitations. Remediation of SCK difficulty will likely require a program that encompasses both behavioral and physical issues.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. manueleh@umich.edu
authors.forename: Manuel E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Hernandez
authors.forename: Susan L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.forename: Neil B
authors.initials: NB
authors.lastname: Alexander
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D004856:Postural Balance; D011187:Posture