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Association between the history of fall and the fear of falling on stair descent and gait transition spatiotemporal parameters and lower-limb kinematics in older adults
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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
Among older adults, there is a high incidence of history of fall (HoF), fear of falling (FoF), and falls on stair descent during gait transitions. We aim to evaluate the association between HoF and FoF on spatiotemporal and lower-limb kinematic parameters in older adults during stair descents and gait transitions. Sixty older adults (>60 years) were evaluated through an optoelectrical motion capture system during stair descents and gait transitions, using the mean value of the task velocity and time; single- and double-support time; peak downward center of mass (CoM) velocity; hip, knee, and ankle positions of ipsi and the contralateral limb; and foot clearance and foot placement, assessed through multivariate analysis of variance. FOF exhibited longer time to complete (p = 0.009) and double-support (p = 0.047) and single-support (p = 0.009) times and a reduced peak downward CoM velocity (p = 0.043). In the gait transition cycle, HOF exhibited reduced ipsi ankle angles at toe-off (p = 0.015), and FOF presented reduced ipsi ankle angles at heel-strike (p = 0.041) and toe-off (p = 0.026) and reduced contralateral ankle angles at toe-off (p = 0.022).Older adults with HoF and FoF exhibit biomechanical changes during stair descents and gait transitions, in line with the use of more conservative strategies to avoid falling.
Description
Keywords
History of fall Fear of falling Geriatrics Stair descent Biomechanics
Pedagogical Context
Citation
Teles, I., Moreira, J., & Sousa, A. S. P. (2025). Association Between the History of Fall and the Fear of Falling on Stair Descent and Gait Transition Spatiotemporal Parameters and Lower-Limb Kinematics in Older Adults. Applied Sciences, 15(12), 6689. https://doi.org/10.3390/app15126689
Publisher
MDPI