Falls risk detection based on spatiotemporal parameters of three-dimensional gait analysis in healthy adult women from 50 to 70 years old

摘要

The aim of this study was to compare and correlate spatiotemporal parameters that would indicate falls risk. Thirty-five healthy women without a history of falls in the previous year were selected. Five spatiotemporal parameters were collected from right (R) and left (L) lower limbs using three-dimensional gait analysis. Two groups: young women (20-40 years) and adult/older women (50-70 years) were analyzed. The comparisons between the groups differed in R (p=0.003) and L (p=0.002) stride length, R (p=0.008) and L (p=0.001) step length, L stance period (p=0.008), R step period (p=0.049), L double support time (p=0.003), step width (p=0.005), L loading response time (p=0.001), R (p=0.001) and L (p=0.001) pre-swing time. Gait cycle percentage data also showed statistical difference in L stance (p=0.001), L swing (p=0.001), L single support (p=0.025), L loading response (p=0.001), R (p=0.014) and L (p=0.001) pre-swing. Linear regression indicated that step and stride length increased 18% and gait velocity increased 20% with age variation. The results propose that functional measures (velocity, step and stride length) decrease as age increases, while stability measures (stance, double support and pre-swing time) increase. These findings suggest that women aged between 50-70 years may have falls risk. Women aged 50-60 are usually considered as having low falls risk.