Relationship of Falls Caused by Stumbling with Age

Abstract

Elderly subjects were divided into young-old and old-old groups, then further divided into falls caused by stumbling and no-falls groups, and the relationship between motor function and falls was investigated. [Subjects] Thirty elderly subjects, aged over 65, who could walk independently. [Methods] The subjects were divided into young-old and old-old, as well as falls, and no-falls groups and their motor functions were analyzed using twoway analysis of variance. [Results] Differences were found in maximum step width between the falls and no-falls groups, as well as the young-old and old-old groups. Differences in plantar flexion and dorsiflexion, and standing on tiptoe were also found between the falls and no-falls groups, but not between the young-old and old-old groups. [Conclusion] As an assessment for the prevention of falls caused by stumbling among the elderly, plantar flexion and dorsiflexion tests are indices which are little-affected by age.