BACKGROUND fear of falling (FoF) has great impact on functioning and quality of life of older people, but its effects on gait and balance are largely unknown. METHODS we examined FoF in 100 participants aged >or=75 years, using the Activities-specific Balance Confidence scale. Participants with a mean score <67% were assigned to the FoF group. We quantified gait and balance during walking at ...

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS In the United States, falls are the leading cause of accidental deaths in adults aged over 65 years. Epidemiologic studies indicate that there is a correlation between hearing loss and the risk of falling among older people. The vestibular, proprioceptive, and visual systems are known to contribute to postural stability, but the contribution of audition to maintaining bala...

This study examined gender differences in balance, gait, and muscle performance in seniors and identified gender-specific factors contributing to physical performance. Forty (20 men, 20 women) healthy, community-dwelling seniors (74.5 +/- 5.3 years) participated. Limits of stability, gait speed, lower limb flexor and extensor isokinetic concentric peak torques, self-reported activity level, and...

Falls due to poor balance are common in elderly people and can cause fractures, head injury, soft tissue trauma; may even result death from these complications. Balance training is one of the strategies used prevent falls among population. Wii Fit a new technological approach community dwelling elderly. The primary aim this systematic review study effectiveness as balance-training tool older ad...

OBJECTIVE To investigate: (i) the intra-rater, inter-rater and test-retest reliability of the 12-step stair test; (ii) its correlation with other stroke-specific impairments; and (iii) the cut-off scores that best discriminate patients with stroke from healthy elderly subjects. DESIGN Cross-sectional study. SETTING University-based rehabilitation centre. SUBJECTS Thirty-five subjects with...

We conducted three torsion-balance experiments to test the gravitational inverse-square law at separations between 9.53 mm and 55 microm, probing distances less than the dark-energy length scale lambda(d)=[4 -root](variant Planck's over 2pic/rho(d) approximately 85 microm. We find with 95% confidence that the inverse-square law holds (|alpha|<or=1) down to a length scale lambda=56 microm and th...

OBJECTIVES To determine the relationships between two tests of stepping ability (the maximal step length (MSL) and rapid step test (RST)) and standard tests of standing balance, gait, mobility, and functional impairment in a group of at-risk older adults. DESIGN Cross-sectional study. SETTING University-based laboratory. PARTICIPANTS One hundred sixty-seven mildly balance-impaired older a...