Abstract
This study analyzes changes in the knees, hips, and hip joint length according to the different angles of bending knees by 45°, 90°, and 135° respectively for knees, hips, and the hip joint that have high fracture rates when falling down. The research subjects were 10 elderly women in their 60s (or older) that obtain data collected through direct measurement. For analysis, the study drew a diagram of elongation and shrinkage based on changes and change rate from a straight posture (0°) and conducted a statistical analysis on differences of body surface length by zone according to movements. The more the knees were bent, the vertical surface length in front of the knees, the horizontal surface length above the knee line, the horizontal body surface length below the knee lines on the back, and the vertical surface lengths between front side lines and the side lines increased; however, the vertical surface length on the back decreased. For the hip joint, the difference in the vertical surface length was more distinctive when compared to the horizontal. Finally, the horizontal surface length increased below the hips and the vertical surface length increased in most areas except the sidelines and the front. The result of the change in body surface length according to the movements of this study can be utilized in the development of the motion-variable protector.
