JURJ

Evaluation of geriatric slips and falls using induced slip training or an obstacle course

Author: Vidhi Singh

Abstract:

Falls in older individuals are a common cause of injury-related hospitalisation or death. In the context of adaptation and longer term retention generated by repeated-slip training, this paper reviews a novel conceptual framework on dynamic stability and weight support in minimising the likelihood of falls and slips, based on induced slip training or an obstacle course principles. Despite the fact that an unexpected fall can be extremely disruptive, regardless of age, a recovery step can frequently be sufficient for recovering equilibrium. As a result, inadequate weight support is the most important factor of slip-related fall risk, rather than instability. A session of induced slip training or an obstacle course appears to improve neuro-mechanical control of dynamic stability and weight support, which can last for several months or more. These concepts offer the theoretical foundation for developing task-specific adaptive training that aids in the development of preventive measures for preventing falls in older individuals.