Posterior single-stepping thresholds are prospectively related to falls in older women.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Falls are a leading cause of injury in older women. Stepping thresholds quantify balance-reaction capabilities. It is unclear how such evaluations predict falls in comparison to, or as a complement to, other objective measures of gait, standing postural control, strength, and balance confidence.

Aims

The objective of this study was to determine if stepping thresholds are prospectively related to falls in older women.

Methods

For this prospective cohort study, 125 ambulatory, community-dwelling women, age ≥ 65 years were recruited. Using a treadmill to deliver perturbations to standing participants, we determined anteroposterior single- and multiple-stepping thresholds. Here, thresholds represent the minimum perturbation magnitudes that consistently evoke on

SUBMITTER: Crenshaw JR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7426251 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature