title: Relationships between falls, spinal curvature, spinal mobility and back extensor strength in elderly people.
abstract: Spinal mobility and back extensor strength (BES) are important in determining quality of life (QOL) for elderly people. However, the impact of spinal factors on falls remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to clarify spinal factors related to falls in elderly people, including deformity of spinal curvature, spinal mobility and BES. Subjects comprised 92 elderly people divided into 3 groups: subjects without a history of falls or fear of falls (Non-falls group, n = 40); subjects with a history of fear of falls or requiring any support when walking (Fear of falls group, n = 36); and subjects with a history of falls (Falls group, n = 16). Kyphotic angles and mobility of the thoracic and/or lumbar spine, and spinal inclination were measured using a computer-assisted device. Postural imbalance was evaluated using a computerized stabilometer. Isometric BES was also measured. Angle of lumbar kyphosis, spinal inclination, and postural imbalance were significantly higher in the Falls group (p < 0.05) compared to those in the Non-falls group. Mobility of the lumbar spine and BES were significantly lower in the Falls group (p < 0.05) than in the Non-falls group. Multiple logistic regression analysis after adjusting for age, gender, height, and body weight showed grip strength (p = 0.0028), BES (p = 0.0052), lumbar kyphosis (p = 0.0057), spinal inclination (p = 0.0378), mobility of lumbar spine (0.027), and mobility of spinal inclination (p = 0.0282) were significantly associated with presence/absence of falls in elderly individuals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1-1 Hondo, Akita 010-8543, Japan. kasukawa@doc.med.akita-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Yuji
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kasukawa
authors.forename: Naohisa
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Miyakoshi
authors.forename: Michio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hongo
authors.forename: Yoshinori
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ishikawa
authors.forename: Hideaki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Noguchi
authors.forename: Keiji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kamo
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sasaki
authors.forename: Katsuyuki
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Murata
authors.forename: Yoichi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shimada
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007738:Kyphosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004856:Postural Balance; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D013121:Spinal Curvatures / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013131:Spine / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
references.citation: Osteoporos Int. 2003 Dec;14(12):1007-12
references.pmid: 14557854
references.citation: Osteoporos Int. 1993 Jan;3(1):8-12
references.pmid: 8422518
references.citation: Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 1996 Sep-Oct;75(5):370-4
references.pmid: 8873705
references.citation: Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2001 Sep 15;26(18):2029-35
references.pmid: 11547204
references.citation: Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2005 Jan 15;30(2):241-6
references.pmid: 15644764
references.citation: Osteoporos Int. 2005 Dec;16(12):1871-4
references.pmid: 15959615
references.citation: Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1997 Mar;78(3):273-7
references.pmid: 9084349
references.citation: J Am Geriatr Soc. 2004 Jul;52(7):1121-9
references.pmid: 15209650
references.citation: Age Ageing. 1989 Jan;18(1):31-4
references.pmid: 2711920
references.citation: Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 2004 Apr;124(3):187-92
references.pmid: 14968367
references.citation: Mayo Clin Proc. 1991 Jan;66(1):39-44
references.pmid: 1824867
references.citation: Osteoporos Int. 2005 Aug;16(8):1004-10
references.pmid: 15549266
references.citation: Osteoporos Int. 2007 Oct;18(10):1397-403
references.pmid: 17460805
references.citation: Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2007 Nov 15;32(24):2694-9
references.pmid: 18007246
references.citation: Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 1991 Jul;16(7):750-6
references.pmid: 1833827