Exploring fall training adaptations while walking.
BACKGROUND
Trips are common in and out of the workplace with most people recovering to avoid a subsequent fall. However, when the recovery attempt fails, a fall can be detrimental.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine adaptations to the elevating response during obstacle tripping while walking on a treadmill. Additionally, the possible transfer effects from adapted responses in the lab to the worksite are explored.


METHODS
Fourteen healthy participants that covered the general working age range (20-70 yrs.) were presented with two different types of tripping obstacles while walking.


RESULTS
Elevating the foot over the obstacle was expected due to all trips being induced during early swing phase (first 33% of the swing phase). However, in addition to the elevating strategy, a novel "push" strategy was observed in all but three participants.


CONCLUSIONS
The current study provided support that obstacle type influences the behavioral response after a trip. Therefore, obstacles that catch the shoe should be considered when designing functional fall programs. Furthermore, information from the current study is useful for establishing guidelines when developing a fall prevention program in the workplace.
Tobin A
TA
Silver
G Monique
GM
Mokha
Corey A
CA
Peacock
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016272:Occupational Health; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*; D017132:Workplace; D055815:Young Adult
Obstacle training; push response; trip response 
strategies; workplace stumbles