Article

Falls are a serious health problem for aged people, causing social and economic
burden. Despite being an important determinant of balance, the positioning of the
center of mass (COM) has not been evaluated as a risk factor for falls. This
study examined the association between the percentage height of COM (%COM) and
the risk of falls in the elderly. Healthy women aged 60 years and older were
consecutively selected in a case-control study. Forty-eight individuals
classified as "fallers" (having suffered two or more falls in the previous year)
were the cases while 48 age and weight-matched women with one fall or no falls in
the previous year were the controls ("non-fallers"). Body composition and bone
mineral density (BMD) by DXA, 30-second chair stand test, abdominal
circumference, Berg's balance scale and %COM using the reaction board method were
evaluated in all participants. Body composition parameters were not significantly
different between groups. Spine and hip BMD tended to be lower in the fallers,
but the difference was significant only at the femoral neck (0.80+/-0.10g/cm(2)
versus 0.87+/-0.76g/cm(2); p<0.01). Berg's balance scale scores were lower among
fallers than non-fallers (p<0.05). Percentage height of COM was significantly
higher among fallers (p<0.001) and this was associated with a higher number of
fractures (p<0.05). Percentage height of COM is significantly higher in the
elderly with frequent falls. Further work is needed in order to determine the
value of board reaction measurements in a clinical setting to identify patients at high risk.
- chutes -
CI - Copyright (c) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS