PMC

Effect of free vs. restricted arm movement by age group on proactive balance performance using the Lower Quarter Y Balance test consisting of the anterior reach direction (A), the posteromedial reach direction (B), the posterolateral reach direction (C), and the composite score (D). Values are means ± standard deviations. *Significant difference (p < 0.05) between free and restricted arm movement conditions and age groups. AT, anterior; LL, leg length; PL, posterolateral; PM, posteromedial; YBT-LQ, Lower Quarter Y Balance test.

System design. The participant sat at a workstation. The impaired arm was strapped to a SaeboMAS arm support and electrodes were positioned on the anterior deltoid, triceps and wrist extensors. An electro-goniometer over the wrist joint and a Microsoft Kinect captured the participant’s movements. The bubble displays the task template customised to each participants arm length. Green = button located at 60% of arm length; Blue = button located at 80% of arm length; Red = button located at 75% of arm length, 45° to the impaired side; Yellow = button located at 75% of arm length, 45° across body; small yellow circles = location that object was grasped from and repositioned to (60% and 95% of arm length). The cabinet housed the light switch tasks (located at 75 and 80% of reach for the high and low light switch tasks respectively); the draw task (located at 80% of reach) was on the reverse side of the cabinet.