Changes in gait performance over several years are associated with recurrent falls status in community-dwelling older women at high risk of fracture

D Scott; P Mclaughlin; GC Nicholson; PR Ebeling; AL Stuart; D Kay; KM Sanders

Journal article

Changes in gait performance over several years are associated with recurrent falls status in community-dwelling older women at high risk of fracture

D Scott, P Mclaughlin, GC Nicholson, PR Ebeling, AL Stuart, D Kay, KM Sanders

Age and Ageing | Published : 2015

DOI: 10.1093/ageing/afu169

Abstract

Background: gait analysis is a recommended geriatric assessment for falls risk and sarcopenia; however, previous research utilises measurements at a single time point only. It is presently unclear how changes in gait over several years influence risk of recurrent falls in older adults.Methods: we investigated 135 female volunteers (mean age ± SD: 76.7 ± 5.0 years; range: 70-92 years) at high risk of fracture. Gait parameters (speed, cadence, step length, step width, swing time and double support phase) were assessed using the GAITRite Electronic Walkway System at four annual clinics over ?3.7 ± 0.5 years. Participants reported incident falls monthly for 3.7 ± 1.2 years.Results: increasing ga..

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University of Melbourne Researchers

Kerrie Sanders Author

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Grants

Awarded by National Health and Medical Research Council

Funding Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the National Health and Medical Research Council (grant number 251682) and the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing. The funding sources had no role in the study design, execution, analysis and interpretation of the data, or writing of this manuscript.