SAFETYLIT WEEKLY UPDATE

We compile citations and summaries of about 400 new articles every week.
RSS Feed

HELP: Tutorials | FAQ
CONTACT US: Contact info

Search Results

Journal Article

Citation

Ko SU, Gunter KB, Costello M, Aum H, MacDonald S, White KN, Snow CM, Hayes WC. J. Aging Health 2007; 19(2): 200-212.

Affiliation

Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0898264307299308

PMID

17413131

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose was to identify differences in gait characteristics between older fallers with a tendency to fall sideways compared to those who do not fall to the side. METHOD: The authors conducted a prospective, case control study of ambulatory adults older than 70 residing in retirement communities. Measurements included spatial and temporal gait parameters and prospective fall surveillance. RESULTS: In all, 29 participants fell to the side, and 64 fell in other directions (forward, backward, straight down); 46 participants experienced no falls. Side-fallers exhibited narrower stride widths compared to other-directed fallers, and stepwise and discriminant analysis correctly classified 67% of side-fallers and other-directed fallers using only stride width. DISCUSSION: This study suggests that side-fallers, who have narrower stride widths compared to those who fall in other directions, may not be adapting their gait to compensate for lateral instability. More research is needed to determine whether narrow gait contributes to unstable walking patterns.


Language: en

NEW SEARCH


All SafetyLit records are available for automatic download to Zotero & Mendeley
Print