The effect of low-impact dance on blood metabolites, the joint range of motion (ROM) of the lower extremities, knee extension torque, bone mass density (BMD), the number of falls, and the confidence to perform daily activities (Modified Falls Efficacy Scale [MFES]) was examined in older sedentary women (age: 59 ± 4 years) before and after a 16-week intervention. Results showed that the average score for the MFES, some parameters of blood chemistry, and joint ROM were significantly improved after low-impact intervention. In addition to improvements in blood lipids and body fat percentages, the increases shown in the parameters regarding the lower extremities may contribute to confidence in performing common daily activities in older women, although the number of falls did not significantly differ between the two groups during the 16-week period.
Hui Ying Wu, Jui Hung Tu, Chin Hsing Hsu, and Te Hung Tsao
Saša Krstulović, Andrea De Giorgio, Óscar DelCastillo Andrés, Emerson Franchini, and Goran Kuvačić
, & Mitchell, 2018 ; Shi et al., 2018 ). Along with these proposals for intervention, there are proactive works focusing on the fall techniques of different combat sports, such as judo, which teach how to fall to avoid injury or severity ( Nauta et al., 2013 ; Campos-Mesa, DelCastillo-Andrés, Toronjo
Matteo Ponzano, Jenna C. Gibbs, Jonathan D. Adachi, Maureen C. Ashe, Angela M. Cheung, Keith D. Hill, David Kendler, Aliya A. Khan, Caitlin McArthur, Alexandra Papaioannou, Lehana Thabane, John D. Wark, and Lora M. Giangregorio
alteration of spine curvature on the sagittal plane of more than 40°, can interfere with usual movement patterns ( Katzman, Wanek, Shepherd, & Sellmeyer, 2010 ), thus increasing the risk of falling. Falls and related injuries are a major and increasing problem in that the number of Canadian older adults who
Bernard Auvinet, Gilles Berrut, Claude Touzard, Laurent Moutel, Nadine Collet, Denis Chaleil, and Eric Barrey
The objective of this study was to measure gait abnormalities in elderly fallers with the Locometrix™ gait-analysis system. This accelerometric device provided the following gait variables: walking speed and stride frequency, length, symmetry, and regularity. The variables were analyzed over a 20-s period of stable walking on a flat track of 40 m. Participants were 20 elderly patients hospitalized for falls (mean age 80.8 ± 5.0 years) and 33 older adults living at home (mean age 77.2 ± 6.5 years). All gait variables were found to be significantly lower in the faller group (p < .05). The lower gait speed, stride length, and stride frequency were previously recognized as nonrelevant in predicting the risk of falling, whereas lower stride symmetry was related to an underlying pathology and lower stride regularity was correlated to the risk of falls. The Locometrix appears to be well suited to measure gait regularity in routine practice.
Oluwaseyi Osho, Oluwatoyosi Owoeye, and Susan Armijo-Olivo
( Statistics Canada, 2015 ). One of the greatest health challenges facing this increasing population is falls ( Scott, Wagar, & Elliott, 2010 ). A fall is defined as a sudden, unintentional change in position, causing the individual to land at a lower level with or without injury ( Scott et al., 2010 ). The
Amanda L. Penko, Jacob E. Barkley, Anson B. Rosenfeldt, and Jay L. Alberts
/or cognitive performance. 2 , 3 , 5 Postural instability and gait dysfunction associated with PD are described as shuffling, small steps, decreased arm swing, and stooped posture, which disturb mobility and postural stability, leading to an increased fall risk. 4 , 6 Greater than 50% of individuals with PD
Anna Lee, Tanvi Bhatt, Xuan Liu, Yiru Wang, Shuaijie Wang, and Yi-Chung (Clive) Pai
Falling is one of the most common and significant health threats faced by older adults. 1 Approximately 30% of older adults over age 65 and 50% of older adults over age 80 fall annually. 2 – 4 Most falls among community-dwelling healthy older adults occur due to external perturbations (ie
Wei Sun, Xiujie Ma, Lin Wang, Cui Zhang, Qipeng Song, Houxin Gu, and Dewei Mao
Approximately one of three people aged 65 years and older fall at least once a year, and half of them experience multiple falls ( Davis et al., 2010 ). Falls cause severe injuries in the elderly, especially postmenopausal women with osteoporosis; such injuries include soft tissue injury, fracture
Mohsen Shafizadeh, Jane Manson, Sally Fowler-Davis, Khalid Ali, Anna C. Lowe, Judy Stevenson, Shahab Parvinpour, and Keith Davids
Aging is complex in nature and is accompanied by physical, sensory perceptual, and cognitive changes in the body that could affect balance and gait in predictable and unpredictable situations ( Melzer, Kurz, & Oddsson, 2010 ). A fall after losing balance and control of upright posture is a common
Michiel Punt, Sjoerd M. Bruijn, Ingrid G. van de Port, Ilona J.M. de Rooij, Harriet Wittink, and Jaap H. van Dieën
Falls are common in community-dwelling stroke survivors, 1 and poststroke patients are more often frequent fallers than older adults. 2 In addition, hip fractures resulting from a fall more often lead to immobility in stroke survivors. 3 Other consequences of falls are loss of independence and
