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Associations of Gait Speed, Cadence, Gait Stability Ratio, and Body Balance with Falls in Older Adults

Author

Listed:
  • Marcelo de Maio Nascimento

    (Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Vale do São Francisco, 56304-917 Petrolina, Brazil)

  • Élvio Rúbio Gouveia

    (Department of Physical Education and Sport, University of Madeira, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal
    LARSYS, Interactive Technologies Institute, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal
    Center for the Interdisciplinary Study of Gerontology and Vulnerability, University of Geneva, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland)

  • Bruna R. Gouveia

    (LARSYS, Interactive Technologies Institute, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal
    Center for the Interdisciplinary Study of Gerontology and Vulnerability, University of Geneva, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
    Regional Directorate of Health, Secretary of Health of the Autonomous Region of Madeira, 9004-515 Funchal, Portugal
    Saint Joseph of Cluny Higher School of Nursing, 9050-535 Funchal, Portugal)

  • Adilson Marques

    (Faculty of Human Kinetics, University of Lisbon (CIPER), 1495-751 Lisbon, Portugal
    Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon (ISAMB), 1649-020 Lisbon, Portugal)

  • Francisco Martins

    (Department of Physical Education and Sport, University of Madeira, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal
    LARSYS, Interactive Technologies Institute, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal)

  • Krzysztof Przednowek

    (Institute of Physical Culture Sciences, Medical College, University of Rzeszów, 35-959 Rzeszów, Poland)

  • Cíntia França

    (Department of Physical Education and Sport, University of Madeira, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal
    LARSYS, Interactive Technologies Institute, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal)

  • Miguel Peralta

    (Faculty of Human Kinetics, University of Lisbon (CIPER), 1495-751 Lisbon, Portugal
    Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon (ISAMB), 1649-020 Lisbon, Portugal)

  • Andreas Ihle

    (Center for the Interdisciplinary Study of Gerontology and Vulnerability, University of Geneva, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
    Department of Psychology, University of Geneva, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
    Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research LIVES—Overcoming Vulnerability: Life Course Perspectives, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland)

Abstract

To investigate the association between gait speed (GS), cadence (CAD), gait stability ratio (GSR), and body balance (BB) with falls in a large sample of older adults. The analysis included 619 individuals—305 men and 314 women (69.50 ± 5.62 years)—residing in the Autonomous Region of Madeira, Portugal. Mobility in GS, CAD, and GSR was assessed using the 50-foot walk test and BB by the Fullerton Advanced Balance scale. The frequency of falls was obtained by self-report. Linear regression analysis showed that higher performance in GS and BB was able to reduce the risk of falling by up to 0.34 and 0.44 times, respectively. An increase in the GSR value enhanced the risk of falling by up to 0.10 times. Multinomial analysis indicated that, in relation to the highest tertile (reference), older adults classified with GS and BB performance in the lowest tertile (lowest) had an increased chance (OR) of falling by up to 149.3% and 48.8%, respectively. Moreover, in relation to the highest tertile, the performance of the GSR classified in the lowest and medium tercile showed an increase in the chance of falling by up to 57.4% and 56.4%, respectively.

Suggested Citation

  • Marcelo de Maio Nascimento & Élvio Rúbio Gouveia & Bruna R. Gouveia & Adilson Marques & Francisco Martins & Krzysztof Przednowek & Cíntia França & Miguel Peralta & Andreas Ihle, 2022. "Associations of Gait Speed, Cadence, Gait Stability Ratio, and Body Balance with Falls in Older Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-13, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:21:p:13926-:d:953956
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Marcelo de Maio Nascimento & Élvio Rúbio Gouveia & Adilson Marques & Bruna R. Gouveia & Priscila Marconcin & Andreas Ihle, 2022. "Gait Speed as a Biomarker of Cognitive Vulnerability: A Population-Based Study with Cognitively Normal Older Adults," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-12, June.
    2. Faithe J. X. Poh & Shefaly Shorey, 2020. "A Literature Review of Factors Influencing Injurious Falls," Clinical Nursing Research, , vol. 29(3), pages 141-148, March.
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