Age-related changes analyzing shoulder kinematics by means of inertial sensors

•Kinematics differences were found between younger and older asymptomatic adults.•Scapulothoracic joint is more likely to present differences.•Findings concur with research suggesting age-related changes in the shoulder joint complex.

BackgroundShoulder kinematics alteration has been previously proven in subjects suffering from shoulder damage, which is also related to shoulder degenerative changes as consequence of aging. Because of that, it would be interesting to investigate age-related kinematics. The main objective was to analyze age-related differences in shoulder kinematics by means of inertial sensors in asymptomatic subjects during shoulder abduction and flexion.MethodsTwenty-five right arms were measured (11 from the young adult group and 14 from the older adult group). In the young group, age ranged between 20 and 34 years old, while in the older group age ranged between 45 and 72 years old. Angular mobility and linear acceleration from the scapula, humerus and sternum as well as mobility in the glenohumeral and scapulothoracic joints were calculated by three inertial sensors. Subjects performed shoulder abduction and flexion.FindingsSignificant differences in mobility were found in humerus and scapula in mobility and acceleration during both tasks. Those differences varied depending on the plane analyzed. A moderate negative correlation between age and humerus and scapula ranged from − 0.624** to − 0.409*. A positive correlation was found in some planes.InterpretationThe results from the present study suggest that humerus elevation and scapular protraction-retraction as well as medio-lateral rotation are more likely to present kinematics age-related differences, i.e. older: age is associated with less mobility and acceleration in some planes and axes. Results provide inertial tridimensional measures from shoulder complex comparing groups of different age. Findings also concur with previous research supporting age-related shoulder changes.