title: Transfer effects of fall training on balance performance and spatiotemporal gait parameters in healthy community-dwelling older adults: a pilot study.
abstract: This study examined transfer effects of fall training on fear of falling (Falls Efficacy Scale-International [FES-I]), balance performance, and spatiotemporal gait characteristics in older adults. Eighteen community-dwelling older adults (ages 65-85) were randomly assigned to an intervention or control group. The intervention group completed 12 training sessions (60 min, 6 weeks). During pre- and posttesting, we measured FES-I, balance performance (double limb, closed eyes; single limb, open eyes; double limb, open eyes with motor-interfered task), and gait parameters (e.g., velocity; cadence; stride time, stride width, and stride length; variability of stride time and stride length) under single- and motor-interfered tasks. Dual tasks were applied to appraise improvements of cognitive processing during balance and gait. FES-I (p = .33) and postural sway did not significantly change (0.36 < p < .79). Trends toward significant interaction effects were found for step width during normal walking and stride length variability during the motor dual task (p = .05, ηp 2 = .22). Fall training did not sufficiently improve fear of falling, balance, or gait performance under single- or dual-task conditions in healthy older adults.
authors.affiliation: Inst. of Exercise and Health Sciences, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Donath
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Faude
authors.forename: Stephanie A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Bridenbaugh
authors.forename: Ralf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Roth
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Soltermann
authors.forename: Reto W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Kressig
authors.forename: Lukas
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zahner
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology*; D016852:Housing for the Elderly; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016139:Martial Arts / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D012016:Reference Values; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014163:Transfer, Psychology / Q000502:physiology*; D016138:Walking