Situational factors that influence overreaching on a ladder during a gutter clearing task among older adults.

ABSTRACT: Ladder falls from overreaching are a problem in older adults. Evidence suggests ladder use behavior to be dependent on interfacing user and environmental circumstances (i.e. situational factors). This study investigates the effects of situational factors (remaining debris, ladder position, time into task, hand dominant reach, reaching disposition) on reaching during a gutter clearing task on a ladder in 104 older adults. Reaching was quantified as the maximum lateral center of pressure (COP) displacement from the ladder's center. A reach was classified as an overreach when the COP displaced outside the ladder width, indicative of a ladder tip. Reaching disposition, remaining debris, ladder position, and the interaction of reaching disposition and remaining debris predicted 20% of the reach

SUBMITTER: Williams DD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10041861 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature