The relationship between energy cost and the center of gravity trajectory during sit-to-stand motion

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between jerk cost andthe formation of the center of gravity trajectory during sit-to-stand motion withasymmetrical foot placement. [Subjects] Nineteen male volunteers were included (age: 21 ±1 years). [Methods] The subjects moved from a sitting position to a standing positionunder two different foot placement conditions: (1) 0 degrees of dorsiflexion on thenon-dominant side and 20 degrees of dorsiflexion on the dominant side (P1) and (2) 20degrees of plantarflexion on the non-dominant side and 20 degrees of dorsiflexion on thedominant side (P2). Two standing conditions were used: (1) natural movement and (2)instructed movement, with instructions to increase weight bearing on the non-dominantside. The center of gravity trajectory and its jerk cost were calculated at each axis:front and back (jerk-x), right and left (jerk-y), and vertical (jerk-z). [Results] Jerk-xand jerk-y were significantly larger during instructed movement than natural movement inboth P1 and P2. Jerk-z was not significantly different between instructed and naturalmovement in P1 or P2. [Conclusion] These results indicate that energy cost influences theformation of the center of gravity trajectory during sit-to-stand motion with asymmetricalfoot placement.Key words: Sit-to-stand, Jerk cost, Asymmetrical foot placement