Effects of Age and Gender on Dynamic Stability During Stair Descent

Hsue, Bih-Jen; Su, Fong-Chin

doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2014.05.001

Cited by 36 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 60 publications

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“…[49– 50] Variation in step geometry, stair steepness, absence of hand rails, and short flights have been shown to be associated with increased risk of falls. [51–54] More research is needed on safe stair design, gender differences in stair negotiation [55–57], and how these factors may be accounted for in stair design with affordance for all users. [58]…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Circumstances of fall-related injuries by age and gender among community-dwelling adults in the United States

et al. 2017

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IntroductionFalls are the leading cause of injury in almost all age-strata in the U.S. However, fall-related injuries (FI) and their circumstances are under-studied at the population level, particularly among young and middle-aged adults. This study examined the circumstances of FI among community-dwelling U.S. adults, by age and gender.MethodsNarrative texts of FI from the National Health Interview Survey (1997–2010) were coded using a customized taxonomy to assess place, activity, initiating event, hazards, contributing factors, fall height, and work-relatedness of FI. Weighted proportions and incidence rates of FI were calculated across six age-gender groups (18–44, 45–64, 65+ years; women, men).ResultsThe proportion of FI occurring indoors increased with age in both genders (22%, 30%, and 48% among men, and 40%, 49% and 62% among women for 18–44, 45–64, 65+ age-groups, respectively). In each age group the proportion of indoor FI was higher among women as compared to men. Among women, using the stairs was the second leading activity (after walking) at the time of FI (19%, 14% and 10% for women in 18–44, 45–64, 65+ age groups, respectively). FI associated with tripping increased with age among both genders, and women were more likely to trip than men in every age group. Of all age-gender groups, the rate of FI while using ladders was the highest among middle-aged men (3.3 per 1000 person-year, 95% CI 2.0, 4.5). Large objects, stairs and steps, and surface contamination were the three most common hazards noted for 15%, 14% and 13% of fall-related injuries, respectively.ConclusionsThe rate and the circumstances of FI differ by age and gender. Understanding these differences and obtaining information about circumstances could be vital for developing effective interventions to prevent falls and FI.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Circumstances of fall-related injuries by age and gender among community-dwelling adults in the United States

et al. 2017

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“…Reports have highlighted many gender differences during locomotion, including differences in gait speed [29] and running [30], with men exhibiting a higher velocity than women. Gait is more variable in men compared to women during a dual task [31], and women present a longer stride duration than men during stair descent [32]. Women, when ageing, report less self-confidence and greater cautiousness than men in their ability to manage stairs [33].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Precision Grip Control while Walking Down a Stair Step

Ebner‐Karestinos¹,

Thonnard²,

Bleyenheuft³

2016

PLoS ONE

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The aim of this study was to determine whether the internal model regulating grip force (GF)/load force (LF) coordination during a brisk load increase is preserved when the lower extremities produce a perturbation during a single step-down task. We observed the coordination of the vertical ground reaction force (vGRF), GF and LF while holding a handheld object during a single step-down task. The 3 forces (vGRF, GF and LF) decreased during the start of the task. While the subject was descending, LF and GF became dissociated from vGRF and increased in value, probably to anticipate the first foot contact. Coordination of LF and GF was maintained until the maximal vGRF (knee extension). LF peaked in the same time window as vGRF, whereas GF peaked about 70 ms later. This desynchronization, which was previously observed in direct load increase on a handheld object, was interpreted to be a predictive action to ensure the smooth management of the brisk increase in load induced by the lower extremities. Incidentally, in this group, kinematic and dynamic differences were observed between men and women, which may highlight a gender-specific strategy to perform the step-down task. In conclusion, these results suggest that the internal model of precision grip is able to integrate a brisk load change, whatever its origin, and regulate the forces to provide an ideal GF to dampen a brisk load increase and secure the object.

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“…The danger they are referring to lies with the feeling of reduced stability they experience during their journeys. Generally, older people have weaker limbs and sway more than younger people (Hsue and Su, 2014), hence they present reduced balance in static environments (Era et al, 2006). One would expect this behaviour to be amplified when they negotiate dynamic environments, such as a moving bus, but this has not been investigated before the present study.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 86%

Reducing non-collision injuries aboard buses: Passenger balance whilst walking on the lower deck

Karekla

Tyler

2018

Safety Science

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Travelling by bus is a way millions of people choose for their everyday activities. However, the large acceleration levels, and therefore the associated increased number of falls and non-collision injuries, force current users to shift to other modes of transport, with cars still remaining the preferred choice. This study investigates whether there is a possibility to improve the safety and comfort of buses, where all passengers can walk naturally inside a moving bus. Twenty nine regular bus users, between 20 and 80 years old, were invited to participate in a series of experiments. Their natural gait whilst walking on a flat surface was monitored in a static laboratory and was compared to their gait whilst walking on the lower deck of a moving bus. The examined acceleration levels (low-1.0 m/s 2 , medium-1.5 m/s 2 , high-2.5 m/s 2) were set in the range of accelerations experienced by passengers on the real bus service in London. An ANOVA test was conducted on measures of changes in gait (double support time) as a measure of balance, taking into account passengers' age and gender as well as the acceleration of the bus. The results revealed that, although the dimensions of the lower deck of the bus are narrow, passengers are still able to move to the back of the stationary bus whilst sustaining their natural balance. However, their ability to control balance reduces with the increase of acceleration.

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Effects of Age and Gender on Dynamic Stability During Stair Descent

Cited by 36 publications

References 60 publications

Circumstances of fall-related injuries by age and gender among community-dwelling adults in the United States

Circumstances of fall-related injuries by age and gender among community-dwelling adults in the United States

Precision Grip Control while Walking Down a Stair Step

Reducing non-collision injuries aboard buses: Passenger balance whilst walking on the lower deck

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