Falls and motor behavior in older adults

This mini-review focuses on intrinsic risk factors for falls, particularly the changes in motor behavior of faller older adults. Our purpose is to present evidence that faller older adults exhibit motor behavior changes beyond the typically investigated standing and walking tasks. We showed initially that postural control alterations with more prominent differences for fallers than non-fallers seem to depend on postural demands, availability of sensory information, and tasks performed concomitantly with the balancing task. We also provided evidence that walking speed is the most consistent aspect to differentiate fallers from non-fallers. This reduction in walking speed may be a strategy to improve gait stability to avoid a fall. More recent studies have shown that fallers presented modifications in the control of the prehension movement. These changes suggest that fallers have changes in movement categories other than balancing and walking, suggesting that fallers’ difficulties are broader than previously thought. The fact that faller older adults have modifications in the control of upper and lower limbs is indicative of a change in motor behavior involving gross and fine motor behaviors. The understanding of a faller as an individual with global changes in motor behavior has important implications for fall prevention and rehabilitation programs for these individuals.

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What Do We Know About Motor Development of Preterm Children Without Major Neurological Damage and Disorder? A Narrative Review

Journal of Motor Learning and Development ◽

10.1123/jmld.2020-0059 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-26

Author(s):

Charline Madelaine ◽

Nicolas Benguigui ◽

Michèle Molina

Keyword(s):

Motor Development ◽

Neurodevelopmental Disorder ◽

Sensory Information ◽

Neurological Impairment ◽

Full Term ◽

Narrative Review ◽

Fine Motor ◽

Preterm Children ◽

Motor Abilities ◽

Rehabilitation Programs

This review addresses the question of a possible specificity of motor development of preterm children with no diagnosis of neurological impairment or major cerebral lesion. With that goal, we proceed with a narrative review on the basis of nine studies. All the studies used standardized assessments of motor abilities with a comparison methodology of preterm and full-term groups aged between 3 and 8 years. The review stresses three major findings in the preterm groups as compared with the full-term groups: (a) inferior fine motor abilities; (b) heterogeneity in motor skills; and (c) differences in efficiency of cognitive, perceptual, and mobilization of perceptual motor processes, which do not necessarily result in lower scores in global performances. These findings suggest the need of long-term medical follow-up for all preterm children whether or not they are at risk for neurodevelopmental disorder. Focusing attention on the use of sensory information for motor control in preterm children could also lead to more precise evaluations of motor abilities, which will then provide more detailed parameters for improved learning and rehabilitation programs.

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Deficits in Selective Attention Alter Gait in Frail Older Adults

GeroPsych ◽

10.1024/1662-9647/a000137 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 29 (1) ◽

pp. 29-36 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Véronique Cornu ◽

Jean-Paul Steinmetz ◽

Carine Federspiel

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Nursing Home ◽

Selective Attention ◽

Dual Task ◽

Nursing Home Residents ◽

Gait Rehabilitation ◽

Rehabilitation Programs ◽

Gait Parameters ◽

Growing Body ◽

Task Conditions

Abstract. A growing body of research demonstrates an association between gait disorders, falls, and attentional capacities in older adults. The present work empirically analyzes differences in gait parameters in frail institutionalized older adults as a function of selective attention. Gait analysis under single- and dual-task conditions as well as selective attention measures were collected from a total of 33 nursing-home residents. We found that differences in selective attention performances were related to the investigated gait parameters. Poorer selective attention performances were associated with higher stride-to-stride variabilities and a slowing of gait speed under dual-task conditions. The present findings suggest a contribution of selective attention to a safe gait. Implications for gait rehabilitation programs are discussed.

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Interaction Identification of Risk Factors for Falls in Older Adults Using Decision-tree Analysis

Korean Journal of Sport Studies ◽

10.23949/kjpe.2020.7.59.4.25 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 59 (4) ◽

pp. 369-380

Author(s):

Chun-jong Kim

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Older Adults ◽

Decision Tree ◽

Decision Tree Analysis ◽

Tree Analysis ◽

Falls In Older Adults ◽

Risk Factors For Falls

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Myofascial Release of the Hamstrings Improves Physical Performance—A Study of Young Adults

Healthcare ◽

10.3390/healthcare9060674 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (6) ◽

pp. 674

Author(s):

Keisuke Itotani ◽

Kanta Kawahata ◽

Wakana Takashima ◽

Wakana Mita ◽

Hitomi Minematsu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Young Adults ◽

Physical Performance ◽

Walking Speed ◽

Quadriceps Muscle ◽

Lower Limbs ◽

Joint Movement ◽

Myofascial Release ◽

Functional Reach Test ◽

Hamstring Flexibility ◽

Walking Speeds

Physical performance is mainly assessed in terms of gait speed, chair rise capacity, and balance skills, and assessments are often carried out on the lower limbs. Such physical performance is largely influenced by the strength of the quadriceps and hamstrings muscles. Flexibility of the hamstrings is important because quadriceps muscle activity influences the hip flexion angle. Therefore, hamstring flexibility is essential to improve physical performance. In this study, Myofascial Release (MFR) was applied to the hamstrings to evaluate its effects. MFR on the hamstrings was performed on 17 young adults. Physical function and physical performance were measured before, immediately after, and 5 days after the MFR intervention: finger floor distance (FFD), range of motion (ROM) of the straight leg raising test (SLR), standing long jump (SLJ), squat jump (SJ), functional reach test (FRT), comfortable walking speeds (C-walking speed), and maximum walking speeds (M-walking speed). The results of the analysis show a significant increase in FFD (−2.6 ± 8.9 vs. 0.4 ± 9.4 vs. 2.4 ± 8.9, p < 0.01), SLJ (185.6 ± 44.5 vs. 185.0 ± 41.8 vs. 196.6 ± 40.1, p < 0.01), and M-walking speed (2.9 ± 0.6 vs. 3.0 ± 0.6 vs. 3.3 ± 0.6, p < 0.01). This study has shown that MFR for hamstrings not only improves flexibility but also increases M-walking speed and physical performance of the SLJ. As MFR is safe and does not involve joint movement, it may be useful for maintaining and improving performance and flexibility during inactivity and for stretching before exercise.

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The Relationship Between the Home Environment and Falls for Older Adults With Visual Impairments

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.2783 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 770-770

Author(s):

Bonnielin Swenor ◽

Aleksandra Mihailovic ◽

Pradeep Ramulu

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Home Environment ◽

Visually Impaired ◽

Visual Impairments ◽

Fold Increase ◽

Engineering Society ◽

Environment Assessment ◽

Risk Factors For Falls ◽

The Relationship

Abstract The home environment and features of the home have been identified as important risk factors for falls, and may pose particular risk for older adults with visual impairments given difficulty with hazard perception. We used data from 245 participants in the Falls in Glaucoma Study [mean age: 71 years, mean follow-up: 31 months] with homes graded using our previously validated Home Environment Assessment for the Visually Impaired (HEAVI), which quantifies the number of in-home fall-related hazards and found that neither the number of hazards nor the percentage of hazardous items were associated falls/year. However, each 10-fold increase in lighting was associated with a 35% lower rate of falls/year (RR=0.65, 95%CI=0.46 to 0.92) and there was a 50% reduction in falls/year when lighting was at or above 30 footcandles (minimum lighting level recommended by the Engineering Society of North America) compared to lighting <30 footcandles (RR=0.50, 95%CI=0.26 to 0.96).

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Associations Between Hearing Loss, Loneliness, and Social Isolation: A Systematic Review

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.1018 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 318-318

Author(s):

Jonathan Suen ◽

Aishwarya Shukla ◽

Adele Goman ◽

Carrie Price ◽

Frank Lin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Hearing Loss ◽

Social Isolation ◽

Psychosocial Health ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Design Assessment ◽

Aural Rehabilitation ◽

Rehabilitation Programs ◽

Underlying Mechanisms

Abstract Hearing loss is highly prevalent among older adults, as is occurrences of loneliness and social isolation. Both loneliness and social isolation are also associated with insidious outcomes such as earlier mortality from all-causes and higher prevalence of chronic comorbidities. The purpose of this review is to synthesize published investigations that report on the associations between hearing loss with loneliness and social isolation. A systematic search through PubMed, Embase, CINAHL Plus, PsycINFO, and the Cochrane Library identified an initial total of 2495 references. Two independent reviewers screened articles for inclusion, with a third reviewer adjudicating. Studies published in English of older adults with hearing loss that also assessed loneliness and/or social isolation using a validated measure were included. Investigators used a modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) to appraise study quality. A final total of 14 articles were included in the review. The majority (12/14) were cross-sectional in design. Assessment methods were varied across hearing status, loneliness, and social isolation. Despite this heterogeneity, most multivariable adjusted investigations revealed that hearing loss was significantly associated with higher risks for both phenomena. Several studies also revealed this association to vary across gender, with women showing a stronger association than men. Our findings indicate that hearing loss is associated with both loneliness and social isolation, which have important implications for the cognitive and psychosocial health of older adults. Future investigations should examine possible underlying mechanisms of these relationships, as well as the efficacy of interventions through aural rehabilitation programs in addressing loneliness and social isolation.

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Energy Availability And Walking Speed In Older Adults: A Key To Mobility?

Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise ◽

10.1249/01.mss.0000384916.21798.60 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 42 ◽

pp. 48

Author(s):

Jennifer A. Schrack ◽

Eleanor M. Simonsick ◽

Paulo H.M. Chaves ◽

Luigi Ferrucci

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Walking Speed ◽

Energy Availability

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Plantar Pressure Differences Between Nordic Walking Techniques

Journal of Human Kinetics ◽

10.1515/hukin-2017-0063 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 57 (1) ◽

pp. 221-231 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Alberto Encarnación-Martínez ◽

Ángel Gabriel Lucas-Cuevas ◽

Pedro Pérez-Soriano ◽

Ruperto Menayo ◽

Gemma María Gea-García

Keyword(s):

Plantar Pressure ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Walking Speed ◽

Lower Limbs ◽

Pressure Data ◽

Nordic Walking ◽

Risk Of Injury ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Practical Conclusion ◽

Physiological Benefits

AbstractHigh plantar pressure has been associated with increased risk of injury. The characteristics of each physical activity determine the load on the lower limbs. The influence of Nordic Walking (NW) technique on plantar pressure is still unknown. The aim of this study was to analyze the differences between plantar pressure during NW with the Diagonal technique (DT) versus Alpha technique (AT) and compare them with the pressure obtained during normal walking (W). The normality and sphericity of the plantar pressure data were checked before performing a two-way repeated measures ANOVA in order to find differences between speeds (preferred, fast) and the gait (NW, W) as within-subject factors. Then, a t-test for independent measures was used to identify the specific differences between NW techniques. The strength of the differences was calculated by means of the effect size (ES). The results demonstrated that during NW with AT at preferred speed the pressure was lower under the Calcaneus, Lateral Metatarsal and Toes compared to the DT group (p = 0.046, ES = 1.49; p = 0.015, ES = 1.44; p = 0.040, ES = 1.20, respectively). No differences were found at the fast speed (p > 0.05). Besides the increase in walking speed during NW (p < 0.01), both technique groups showed lower pressure during NW compared to W under the Hallux and Central Metatarsal heads (F = 58.321, p = 0.000, ES = 2.449; F = 41.917, p = 0.012, ES = 1.365, respectively). As a practical conclusion, the AT technique may be the most effective of the NW techniques at reducing plantar pressure while allowing NW practitioners to achieve the physiological benefits of NW.

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Effect of Aerobic Exercise Training and Essential Amino Acid Supplementation for 24 Weeks on Physical Function, Body Composition, and Muscle Metabolism in Healthy, Independent Older Adults: A Randomized Clinical Trial

The Journals of Gerontology Series A ◽

10.1093/gerona/gly109 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 74 (10) ◽

pp. 1598-1604 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Melissa M Markofski ◽

Kristofer Jennings ◽

Kyle L Timmerman ◽

Jared M Dickinson ◽

Christopher S Fry ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Clinical Trial ◽

Body Composition ◽

Protein Synthesis ◽

Muscle Strength ◽

Randomized Clinical Trial ◽

Walking Speed ◽

Muscle Protein ◽

Muscle Protein Synthesis ◽

Before And After

Abstract Background Essential amino acids (EAA) and aerobic exercise (AE) acutely and independently stimulate skeletal muscle protein anabolism in older adults. Objective In this Phase 1, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial, we determined if chronic EAA supplementation, AE training, or a combination of the two interventions could improve muscle mass and function by stimulating muscle protein synthesis. Methods We phone-screened 971, enrolled 109, and randomized 50 independent, low-active, nonfrail, and nondiabetic older adults (age 72 ± 1 years). We used a 2 × 2 factorial design. The interventions were: daily nutritional supplementation (15 g EAA or placebo) and physical activity (supervised AE training 3 days/week or monitored habitual activity) for 24 weeks. Muscle strength, physical function, body composition, and muscle protein synthesis were measured before and after the 24-week intervention. Results Forty-five subjects completed the 24-week intervention. VO2peak and walking speed increased (p < .05) in both AE groups, irrespective of supplementation type, but muscle strength increased only in the EAA + AE group (p < .05). EAA supplementation acutely increased (p < .05) muscle protein synthesis from basal both before and after the intervention, with a larger increase in the EAA + AE group after the intervention. Total and regional lean body mass did not change significantly with any intervention. Conclusions In nonfrail, independent, healthy older adults AE training increased walking speed and aerobic fitness, and, when combined with EAA supplementation, it also increased muscle strength and EAA-stimulated muscle protein synthesis. These increases occurred without improvements in muscle mass.

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