Centre for Policy on Ageing
 

 
Gait changes in older adults: predictors of falls or indicators of fear?
Author(s)Brian E Maki
Journal titleJournal of the American Geriatrics Society, vol 45, no 3, March 1997
Pagespp 313-320
KeywordsFalls ; Gait loss ; Ambulant.
AnnotationResearch has shown that a large number of falls in older people occur during walking, and several studies have demonstrated associations between changes in gait and risk of falling. In particular, it has been reported that older people who fall tend to walk more slowly, to have a shorter stride length, to adopt a wider base and to use double leg support frequently. This study examined whether spatial-temporal measures of foot placement during gait can predict the likelihood of future falls or whether such measures are more likely to be indicative of adaptations associated with pre-existing fear of falling, in a group of ambulatory older adults. Results showed that stride-to-stride variability in the control of gait is an independent risk factor of falling, whereas changes in gait previously cited as risk factors may be stabilising adaptations related to fear of falling.
Accession NumberCPA-970812248 A
ClassmarkOLF: C8G: C4A

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