title: Fall risk assessments based on postural and dynamic stability using inertial measurement unit.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Slip and fall accidents in the workplace are one of the top causes of work related fatalities and injuries. Previous studies have indicated that fall risk was related to postural and dynamic stability. However, the usage of this theoretical relationship was limited by laboratory based measuring instruments. The current study proposed a new method for stability assessment by use of inertial measurement units (IMUs).
  
  
  METHODS
  Accelerations at different body parts were recorded by the IMUs. Postural and local dynamic stability was assessed from these measures and compared with that computed from the traditional method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  THE RESULTS DEMONSTRATED: 1) significant differences between fall prone and healthy groups in IMU assessed dynamic stability; and 2) better power of discrimination with multi stability index assessed by IMUs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings can be utilized in the design of a portable screening or monitoring tool for fall risk assessment in various industrial settings.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health and Human Performance, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Xiaoyue
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Thurmon E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Lockhart