title: Optimal fall indicators for slip induced falls on a cross-slope.
abstract: Slip-induced falls are among the most common cause of major occupational injuries in the UK as well as being a major public health concern in the elderly population. This study aimed to determine the optimal fall indicators for fall detection models which could be used to reduce the detrimental consequences of falls. A total of 264 kinematic variables covering three-dimensional full body model translation and rotational measures were analysed during normal walking, successful recovery from slips and falls on a cross-slope. Large effect sizes were found for three kinematic variables which were able to distinguish falls from normal walking and successful recovery. Further work should consider other types of daily living activities as results show that the optimal kinematic fall indicators can vary considerably between movement types. Practitioner Summary: Fall detection models are used to minimise the adverse consequences of slip-induced falls, a major public health concern. Optimal fall indicators were derived from a comprehensive set of kinematic variables for slips on a cross-slope. Results suggest robust detection of falls is possible on a cross-slope but may be more difficult than level walking.
authors.affiliation: a Centre for Sports Engineering Research, Faculty of Health and Wellbeing , Sheffield Hallam University , Sheffield , UK.|b ukactive Research Institute , London , UK.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Domone
authors.affiliation: c Clinical Research Network: Yorkshire and Humber, c/o Research Development Unit , Sheffield , UK.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lawrence
authors.affiliation: a Centre for Sports Engineering Research, Faculty of Health and Wellbeing , Sheffield Hallam University , Sheffield , UK.
authors.forename: Ben
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Heller
authors.affiliation: d Faculty of Health and Wellbeing , Sheffield Hallam University , Sheffield , UK.
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hendra
authors.affiliation: e Centre for Health and Social Care Research , Sheffield Hallam University , Sheffield , UK.
authors.forename: Sue
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mawson
authors.affiliation: a Centre for Sports Engineering Research, Faculty of Health and Wellbeing , Sheffield Hallam University , Sheffield , UK.
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wheat
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena / Q000502:physiology; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control
keywords: Fall detection; balance control; cross-slope; falls; kinematics; slips