Dynamic stability in sit-to-walk transition: A quantitative analysis based on age-related momentum distribution and lower extremity kinematics

Ganggang Zhang; Fengping Li; Rui Zhao; Diwei Chen; Dong Sun; Yang Song; Danica Janicijevic; Xuanzhen Cen; Yaodong Gu

doi:10.37190/abb/230880

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Dynamic stability in sit-to-walk transition: A quantitative analysis based on age-related momentum distribution and lower extremity kinematics

Acta of Bioengineering and Biomechanics

Volume 28 (2026): Issue 1 (March 2026)

By: Ganggang Zhang, Fengping Li, Rui Zhao, Diwei Chen, Dong Sun, Yang Song, Danica Janicijevic, Xuanzhen Cen and Yaodong Gu

Open Access

|Oct 2026

Abstract

Purpose

The sit-to-walk (STW) transition serves not merely as a highly prevalent functional movement in activities of daily living but also as a pivotal task paradigm for elucidating overall motor control strategies. The objective of this study was to comparatively evaluate the stability control characteristics between two groups during STW transitions and to explore the underlying mechanisms associated with potential fall risks.

Methods

Lower-limb differences between the two groups were assessed using independent samples t-tests, statistical parametric mapping, and phase-average comparisons, supplemented by correlation analyses.

Results

Peak horizontal momentum (HM) showed significant differences between the two groups across the entire phase (p < 0.05). The anteroposterior margin of stability (MOS) differed significantly during the extension and swing phases (p < 0.03), whereas knee range of motion and center of pressure excursion velocity exhibited significant differences only in the unloading phase (p < 0.05). In the young group, the MOS, HM, and joint kinematics demonstrated significant strong negative correlations (r < −0.5, p < 0.05), whereas these correlations were generally attenuated in the older adult group.

Conclusions

Older adults tend to adopt a conservative postural control strategy during STW transitions, prioritizing enhanced stability by restricting forward HM and prolonging movement duration. These findings elucidate the characteristics underlying fall risks during STW in older adults, providing a scientific rationale for the design of targeted biomechanical interventions.

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Articles in this issue

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37190/abb/230880 | Journal eISSN: 2450-6303 | Journal ISSN: 1509-409X

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Language: English

Page range: 73 - 85

Submitted on: Jun 17, 2026

Accepted on: Aug 7, 2026

Published on: Oct 14, 2026

Published by: Wroclaw University of Science and Technology

In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services

Publication frequency: 4 issues per year

Keywords:

Fall,

Related subjects:

Bioengineering and biomedical engineering,

Cellular and tissue engineering,

Biomechanics,

Medicine,

Biomedical engineering,

Materials sciences,

Biomaterials and natural materials

© 2026 Ganggang Zhang, Fengping Li, Rui Zhao, Diwei Chen, Dong Sun, Yang Song, Danica Janicijevic, Xuanzhen Cen, Yaodong Gu, published by Wroclaw University of Science and Technology
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Volume 28 (2026): Issue 1 (March 2026)