Aging Effect on Initial Postural Responses of Unperturbed Foot to Unexpected Slips

Abstract

Consideration of every aspects of body motion that may contribute to balance recovery after unexpected slips is regarded to be fundamental for thorough understanding of slips and falls mechanism. The objective of current study was to assess the aging effect on the initial postural responses of the unperturbed foot after slip initiation. Totally 20 young and 23 old adults participated in a laboratory study, in which slippery surface was induced without their awareness. Unperturbed foot reaction time, contact velocity, and initial BoS (base of support) were quantified kinematically from motion analysis data after slip start. Apparent toe-touch strategy by unperturbed foot was found to be employed by most individuals. Initial contact dynamics was not found to be affected by either aging or slip outcome. The fact that all the individuals without using toe-touch strategy fell demonstrated the clear importance of unperturbed foot responses to avoid fall accidents.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

CDC. (2000). CDC Facts Book 2000/2001.

Cham

Redfern

M. S.

(2001). Lower extremity corrective reactions to slip events. Journal of Biomechanics, 34(11), 1439–1445.

Cham

Redfern

M. S.

(2002). Heel contact dynamics during slip events on level and inclined surfaces. Safety Science, 40(7–8), 559–576.

Ghoussayni

Stevens

Durham

Ewins

(2004). Assessment and validation of a simple automated method for the detection of gait events and intervals. Gait & Posture, 20(3), 266–272.

Leamon

T. B.

Murphy

P. L.

(1995). Occupational Slips and Falls - More Than A Trivial Problem. Ergonomics, 38(3), 487–498.

Liu

Lockhart

T. E.

(2004). Role of Ankle Joint in Successful Reactive-recovery: a 3D Joint Moment Analysis. Paper presented at the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society 48th Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA.

Liu

Lockhart

T. E.

(2005). Aging effect on joint moment generation strategy in successful reactive-recovery from unexpected slips. Paper presented at the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society 49th Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL.

Lockhart

T. E.

Woldstad

J. C.

Smith

J. L.

(2003). Effects of age-related gait changes on the biomechanics of slips and falls. Ergonomics, 46(12), 1136–1160.

Marigold

D. S.

Bethune

A. J.

Patla

A. E.

(2003). Role of the unperturbed limb and arms in the reactive recovery response to an unexpected slip during locomotion. Journal of Neurophysiology, 89(4), 1727–1737.

10.

Tang

P. F.

Woollacott

M. H.

(1998). Inefficient postural responses to unexpected slips during walking in older adults. Journals of Gerontology Series A-Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, 53(6), M471–M480.

11.

You

J. Y.

Chou

Y. L.

Lin

C. J.

F. C.

(2001). Effect of slip on movement of body center of mass relative to base of support. Clinical Biomechanics, 16(2), 167–173.