Júlio, CE, Antonialli, FC, Xavier, AS, Corrêa, JCF, Barton, GJ and Lucareli, PRG (2025) Functional task kinematics in older adults: the role of fear of falling and fall history as measured by themovement deviation profile. Gait & Posture, 119. pp. 208-214. ISSN 0966-6362

Text FUNCTIONAL TASK KINEMATICS IN OLDER ADULTS THE ROLE OF FEAR OF FALLING AND FALL HISTORY AS MEASURED BY THEMOVEMENT DEVIATION PROFILE.pdf - Accepted Version Restricted to Repository staff only until 22 March 2026. Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives. Download (2MB)

Abstract

Background: Most falls at home of older adults occur during activities of daily living, with fear of falling (FOF) heightening the risk. Research question: How does the fear of falling influence the kinematics of functional tasks in faller and non-faller older people? Methods: A total of 68 participants aged 60 and older were divided into four groups: NF-lowFOF (non-faller with low fear, control group), NF-highFOF (non-faller with high fear), F-lowFOF (faller with low fear), and F-highFOF (faller with high fear), with 17 individuals in each group. The three-dimensional kinematics data were analyzed using a single number gait deviation index, the mean Movement Deviation Profile (MDPmean), to identify which task and group had the greatest difference by comparing the Z-scores of the MDPmean. Multivariate analysis and Bonferroni post hoc tests (p < 0.05) were employed to analyze group interactions. Results: Significant differences in kinematics were observed across all functional tasks. The largest effect size between the control group and the other groups for each functional task were descending and ascending stairs, sitting to stand, walking turn and gait in F-highFOF, and standing to sit in F-lowFOF. The time to perform each task didn't differ between the groups. Significance: FOF (whether high or low) can significantly impact the kinematics of functional tasks in both faller and non-faller older adults. Therefore, assessing FOF in this population is crucial to prevent falls and promote rehabilitation, especially in non-faller older adults with high FOF.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Falls; Functional performance; Gait-biomechanics; 4201 Allied Health and Rehabilitation Science; 42 Health Sciences; 4207 Sports Science and Exercise; Prevention; Aging; Rehabilitation; Physical Rehabilitation; Behavioral and Social Science; Clinical Research; Injuries and accidents; Neurological; 0913 Mechanical Engineering; 1103 Clinical Sciences; 1106 Human Movement and Sports Sciences; Orthopedics; 4003 Biomedical engineering; 4201 Allied health and rehabilitation science; 4207 Sports science and exercise
Subjects:	R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC1200 Sports Medicine
Divisions:	Sport and Exercise Sciences
Publisher:	Elsevier
SWORD Depositor:	A Symplectic
Date Deposited:	10 Apr 2025 09:10
Last Modified:	10 Apr 2025 09:15
DOI or ID number:	10.1016/j.gaitpost.2025.03.014
URI:	https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/26153

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