Differences in heart rate variability between young and elderly normal men during graded head up tilt

An autoregressive spectral analysis of heart rate variability (HRV) was used to analyze the differences in autonomic functions during graded head up tilt (HUT) between young and elderly men. After recording at the 0 degree position, the table was rotated to an upright position. The incline of the table was increased progressively to 15 degrees, 30 degrees and 60 degrees. The data obtained from seven young subjects (mean age of 20.0 years) and nine elderly subjects (mean age of 63.3 years) were analyzed. The high frequency components expressed by normalized units (HFnu) were used as the parasympathetic indicators, and HFnu decreased with tilt angle in both age groups. These results suggested that parasympathetic withdrawal have an important role in adaptation to an upright posture in both age groups. However, mean HF amplitude at the 0 degree position in elderly men was not significantly different from that of young men at 60 degrees tilt. A significant interaction effect (age group x tilt angle) was found for mean HF amplitude. The increase of the low frequency components expressed by normalized units (LFnu) and the LF-to-HF ratio in elderly subjects from 0 degree to 15 degrees seemed to be larger than that in young subjects. Sympathetic activities may be sensitive to lower levels of orthostatic stress in the elderly, and the elderly workers are easily affected by a change in workload. Therefore, keeping the workload lower and constant may be recommended to avoid excessive sympathetic activation among the elderly.

Dynamic analysis of wrist circumduction: a new application of the biaxial flexible electrogoniometer

A new technique for quantifying wrist circumduction was developed and evaluated using a biaxial flexible electrogoniometer. The reliability and validity of the electrogoniometer for the measurement of wrist motion were first tested, and then the device was applied clinically. The reliability tests demonstrated sufficient accuracy of the device. Also, validity of the measurement was recognized because the tests simulating wrist circumduction and cineradiography revealed that it could accurately detect the angle between the long axis of the forearm and the third metacarpal bone. Lissajous's figure was made from the two channel signals of the electrogoniometer, and the Range of Motion index for wrist circumduction was newly defined from this figure. This index represents the dynamic range of motion of wrist circumduction. Ten healthy men (ages 19-31 years) and three patients with wrist disorders were studied. In the patients, Lissajous's figures and Range of Motion indexes were markedly different from the healthy. In addition to this study, preliminary data on the 'velocity-angle loci' of healthy men during wrist circumduction were obtained for further detailed analysis.