Medio-lateral gait stability and fall risk in older adults

This thesis explores the use of medio-lateral (ML) jerk to assess gait stability of older adults (OAs) with and without a fall history. Current research is unable to identify individuals at risk of falling prior to their first fall. There is also the identification and summary of common laboratory methods used in gait perturbation and responses assessment. During a 10 metre over ground unperturbed walk, ML jerk was able to discriminate between 834 OAs with and without a fall history in the previous 12 months. There was a small effect size indicating the differences may have been a result of the large cohort size. A systematic review was conducted to identify and describe the current methods and outcome variables used to apply and report balance perturbations response during gait. Findings showed floor level perturbations during over ground walking are the most representative of exposure to slips and trips in normal walking conditions. Data was then collected from 31 participants during over ground perturbed walking to apply ML jerk as an outcome variable. There was a significant effect of age group on ML jerk during gait. Further data collection is needed to show conclusively the effectiveness of ML jerk as a fall indicator. Early identification of individuals at a higher risk of falls would allow for the development of more effective interventions to reduce the risk of falling and the impact of a fall on the individual. Furthermore, reduced falls rates would improve overall health, quality of life and life expectancy.

Grantor dc:publisher

Oxford Brookes University

Year dc:date

2023

Author dc:creator

• Taylor, Zoe

Contributors dc:contributor

• Esser, Patrick

Statement dc:rights

• All rights reserved

Language dc:language

en

DOI dc:identifier

https://doi.org/10.24384/nzx7-0m38

OAI identifier oai:identifier

tle:02093777-1718-4ea5-bdc3-9432aca9ea9b:d6bd9758-527a-46cd-bfe2-c433766e8fca:1