Effects of musculoskeletal and sensory degradation due to aging on the biomechanics of slips and falls

Thurmon E. Lockhart, James L. Smith, Jeffrey C. Woldstad, Pingshan Li

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaperpeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

A laboratory study was conducted to examine the initiation and recovery from foot slips among different age groups utilizing biomechanical parameters, muscle strength, and sensory measurements. Forty two subjects from three age groups (young, middle, and elderly) walked around a circular track at a comfortable pace, while carrying a light load and while unloaded. Slippery floor surfaces were placed on the track over force platforms at random intervals. The results indicated that younger subjects slipped as often as elderly subjects, however, the recovery process of older individuals was much slower and less effective. The ability to successfully recover from a slip (thus preventing a fall) is believed to be affected by lower extremity muscle strength and sensory degradation of the elderly individuals.

Original languageEnglish
Pages83-86
Number of pages4
StatePublished - 2000
EventProceedings of the XIVth Triennial Congress of the International Ergonomics Association and 44th Annual Meeting of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Association, 'Ergonomics for the New Millennnium' - San Diego, CA, United States
Duration: Jul 29 2000Aug 4 2000

Conference

ConferenceProceedings of the XIVth Triennial Congress of the International Ergonomics Association and 44th Annual Meeting of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Association, 'Ergonomics for the New Millennnium'
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Diego, CA
Period07/29/0008/4/00

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