title: Influence of age and gender on sensor-based functional measures: A factor analysis approach.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the functional decline associated with aging and gender-related differences by means of a set of sensor-based measures. A actor analysis has been performed in order to classify domains of an instrumented Timed Up and Go (TUG) test in a group of community-dwelling elderly people. 239 elderly people were recruited and underwent an instrumented TUG test. Features extracted from TUG trials, were grouped by the factor analysis in six factors with a clear clinical value. Significant correlations and gender-related differences were found between age and factors associated with the global fitness, the turning ability, and the dynamics of the trunk during postural transitions. Results provide evidence that a sensor-based assessment is a feasible and effective tool for assessing functional decline in the general population.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Coni
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mellone
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Colpo
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bandinelli
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chiari
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000295:instrumentation*; D010809:Physical Fitness; D012737:Sex Factors