Citation

Lee-Confer JS, Kulig K, Powers CM. Hum. Mov. Sci. 2022; 86: e103016.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.humov.2022.103016

PMID

36270225

Abstract

Slip and fall incidents are a major health concern. Although studies have reported the mechanical benefits of upper extremity responses during a slip to regain balance, it is not currently known if reactive arm motions aid in the recovery of a slip event. Sixty-four healthy young adults were randomized into 4 gait conditions: arms free, both arms constrained, contralateral arm to the slipping foot constrained and ipsilateral arm to the slipping foot constrained. While wearing a protective harness, participants traversed a 10-m walkway and were exposed to an unexpected slip. The group with their arms constrained exhibited a higher proportion of falls compared to the group with the arms free (62.5% vs 18.8%). In addition, individuals assigned to the contralateral arm constraint group exhibited a significantly higher proportion of falls compared to the group in which the ipsilateral arm was constrained (68.8% vs. 31.2%). Our findings suggest that arm motions aid in the recovery of balance during a slip perturbation. Motion of the arm contralateral to the slipping foot appears to be most important. Training upper extremity reactive responses training the arms may be a useful adjunct to fall prevention programs fall prevention.

Language: en

Keywords

Falls; Balance; Arms; Ergonomics; Gait; Slips