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Gait, gait variability and the risk of multiple incident falls in older people: a population-based study
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-17, 12:00 authored by Michele CallisayaMichele Callisaya, Christopher BlizzardChristopher Blizzard, Schmidt, MD, Martin, KL, McGinley, JL, Sanders, LM, Srikanth, VkBackground: it is uncertain as to which measures of gait best predict those who are likely to fall. Our aim was to investigate the associations of gait and gait variability measures with incident falls risk. Methods: individuals aged 60–86 years (n = 412) were randomly selected from the Tasmanian electoral roll. Average gait and gait variability measures were collected on a computerised walkway. Falls were recorded prospectively over 12 months. Log multinomial regression was used to estimate the relative risk of single and multiple falls associated with gait measures. Covariates included age, sex, sensorimotor and cognitive measures, mood and medications. Results: in this population-based study greater intra-individual variability in step length and double-support phase were linearly associated with increased risk of multiple falls (P = 0.04). Non-linear associations with multiple falls were found for gait speed P = 0.002, cadence P = 0.004 and step time variability P = 0.03. None of the gait measures predicted risk of single falls. 481 Gait, gait variability and the risk of multiple incident falls in older people Downloaded from http://ageing.oxfordjournals.org/ at University of Tasmania Library on June 3, 2012 Conclusion: there is an increased risk of multiple falls, but not single falls, in older people with poorer gait. Specific measures of gait and gait variability seem to confer this risk and may be amenable to interventions designed to reduce the risk of multiple falls in older people.
History
Publication title
Age and AgeingVolume
40Issue
4Pagination
481-487ISSN
0002-0729Department/School
Menzies Institute for Medical ResearchPublisher
Oxford University PressPlace of publication
Great Clarendon St, Oxford, England, Ox2 6DpRights statement
Copyright 2011 British Geriatrics SocietyRepository Status
- Restricted