Effect of the environment on gait and gaze behavior in older adult fallers compared to older adult non-fallers.

ABSTRACT: INTRODUCTION:Compared to controlled laboratory settings, the real world is highly distracting with constant demands on visual attention to avoid hazards and falling. Fall-risk assessments do not adequately take into account the potential role of everyday distractions and environmental hazards. The purpose of this project was to identify the effect of the environment on gait and gaze behavior during walking in older adult fallers relative to non-fallers. METHODS:Thirteen older adult fallers (76.8±9.4 years, 3.2±2.3 falls in last year) and 13 age-matched non-fallers (78.3±7.3 years, 0 falls in last year) participated. Participants walked in a real-world and lab setting while gait and gaze were recorded. Gait variables were stride length variability, stride duration variability, and stride ve

SUBMITTER: Zukowski LA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7083306 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature