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Disturbance type and gait speed affect fall direction and impact location

Authors :
Thomas A. McMahon
Cécile Smeesters
Wilson C. Hayes
Source :
Journal of Biomechanics. 34:309-317
Publication Year :
2001
Publisher :
Elsevier BV, 2001.

Abstract

Since falling to the side and impacting on or near the hip increase hip fracture risk, we examined the fall direction and pelvis impact location resulting from four disturbances (faint, slip, step down, trip) at three gait speeds (fast, normal, slow) in 14 young adults instructed not to attempt recovery. We hypothesized that certain disturbances such as faints and slips and slow walking speed were more likely to result in an impact on the hip. For each trial, the fall direction, impact location and pelvis impact velocity were measured. The results showed that both disturbance type and gait speed significantly affected fall direction and impact location (analysis of covariance with repeated measures, p< or =0.0001) with a significant interaction (p

Details

ISSN :
00219290
Volume :
34
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Journal of Biomechanics
Accession number :
edsair.doi.dedup.....137b7a54ebbbe13dd3c22c304983e1ea