Background: Despite fall prevention strategies suggested by researchers, falls are still a major health concern in older adults. Understanding factors that differentiate successful versus unsuccessful balance recovery may help improve the prevention strategies. Objects: The purpose of this review was to identify biomechanical factors that differentiate successful versus unsuccessful balance recovery in the event of a fall. Methods: The literature was searched through Google Scholar and PubMed. The following keywords were used: ‘falls,‘ ‘protective response,‘ ‘protective strategy,’ ‘automated postural response,’ ‘slips,’ ‘trips,’ ‘stepping strategy,‘ ‘muscle activity,’ ‘balance recovery,‘ ‘successful balance recovery,‘ and ‘failed balance recovery.’ Results: A total of 64 articles were found and reviewed. Most of studies included in this review suggested that kinematics during a fall was important to recover balance successfully. To be successful, appropriate movements were required, which governed by several things depending on the direction and characteristics of the fall. Studies also suggested that lower limb muscle activity and joint moments were important for successful balance recovery. Other factors associated with successful balance recovery included fall direction, age, appropriate protective strategy, overall health, comorbidity, gait speed, sex and anticipation of the fall. Conclusion: This review discusses biomechanical factors related to successful versus unsuccessful balance recovery to help understand falls. Our review should help guide future research, or improve prevention strategies in the area of fall and injuries in older adults.

최근 관광, 레저 수요의 증대로 해안 시설물(방파제)에서 낚시를 통해 여가를 즐기는 낚시객의 증대와 아울러 매년 해안 시설물인 소파블록(Tetrapod, TTP)에서의 낙상사고가 사회적 문제가 되고 있다. 본 연구에서는 낙상사고가 주로 발생하는 소파블록을 안전망으로 덮어 낚시객의 낙상을 저감하는 안전사고 방지 시설물 개발의 기초 연구로서 적절한 그물코 크기를 제시하고자 한다. 이는 안전망 시설물의 규모 및 경제성을 고려할 때 반드시 선행되어야 할 부분이다. 본 연구에서 적용한 안전망의 그물코 크기 결정 방법은 낚시객들의 성별, 연령별 현황과 한국인의 인체치수조사 결과를 바탕으로 최적의 그물코 크기를 산정하고자 하였다. 그 최종 결과로서 안전망의 그물 코 크기는 최소 낚시객의 넙다리 둘레에서부터 최대 가슴둘레까지를 고려하여 18.6~27.0 cm의 범위로 산정되었다.

Background: The Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and the Fullerton Advanced Balance (FAB) scale have been used to assess balance function in patients with chronic stroke. These clinical balance scales provide information about potential risk factors for falls. Objects: The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence of and risk factors of falls and compare the predictive values of the BBS and FAB scale relative to fall risk in patients with stroke through receiver operating characteristic analysis. Methods: Sixty-three patients with stroke (faller=34, non-faller=29) who could walk independently for 10 meters participated in this study. The BBS and FAB scale were administered. Then, we verified the cut-off score, sensitivity, specificity, and the area of under the curve. Results: In this study, the BBS and FAB scale did not predict fall risk in patients with stroke in the receiver operator characteristic curve analysis. A cut-off score of 37.5 points provided sensitivity of .47 and specificity of .35 on the BBS, and a cut-off score of 20.5 points provided sensitivity of .44 and specificity of .45 on the FAB scale. Conclusion: The BBS and FAB scale were not useful screening tools for predicting fall risk in patients with stroke in this study, but tho

Background: The Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS) and the Fullerton Advanced Balance (FAB) scale were used to assess balance function in patients with balance problem. These multidimensional clinical balance scales provide information about potential risk factors for falls. Objects: The purpose of this study was to investigate and compare the predictive properties of the PBS and FAB scales relative to fall risk in children with cerebral palsy (CP) using a receiver operating characteristic analysis. Methods: In total, 49 children with CP (boy=21, girl=28) who were diagnosed with level 1 or 2 according to the Gross Motor Function Classification System participated in this study. The PBS and FAB were performed, and verified cut-off score, sensitivity, specificity, and the area of under the curve (AUC). Results: In this study, the PBS scale was as a predictive measure of fall risk, but the FAB was not significant in children with CP. A cut-off score of 45.5 points provided optimal sensitivity of .90 and specificity of .69 on the PBS, and a cut-off score of 21.5 points provided optimal sensitivity of .90 and specificity of .62 on the FAB. Both scales showed moderately accurate of AUC with .79 and .76, respectively. Conclusion: The PBS is a useful screening tool for predicting fall risk in children with cerebral palsy, and those who score 45.5 or lower indicate a high risk for falls and are in need of balance intervention.

The large-sized, complex, and multi-storied construction industry caused the increasing construction amount together with insufficient skilled workers to increase the probability of occurring accident , resulting in the most construction accidents next to manufacturing industry. Death accidents have risen to serious level, compared construction industry with manufacturing industry along the numbers of workers. Due to the main feature of one-time industry receiving orders, open-air dispersed production activity and the long-complex production process, the continuous efforts to prevent and manage safety accidents were made but the results were of no effect. They didn't deeply analyze the falling accidents that consist of half death accidents in construction industry. This study has classified in detail Missteps, Slip, Trip, Unstability and the others on the basis of gait characteristics, occurrence types, frequency and intensity of death accidents. This study suggested the effective methods on the construction safety management according to the causes of falling accidents. This study will be expect to be used as the basic data in the procedure and the program of safety management.

목적 : 본 연구는 FES가 낙상 경험을 예측하는 선별 기준값을 구하고 FES에 영향을 미치는 요인과 낙상 경험의 예측 인자를 알아보고자 하였다. 연구방법 : 본 연구는 뇌졸중으로 인한 편마비 진단을 받은 69명을 대상으로 하였다. 발병 후 낙상을 경험한 횟수를 기록하고 낙상 효능감 척도(Falls Efficacy Scale; FES)를 이용하여 설문지에 응답하도록 하였다. 인지 평가는 한국판 간이정신 상태 검사(Mini Mental State Examination-Korean version; MMSE-K), 우울증은 한국판 노인 우울증 척도(Geriatric Depression Scale-Korean version; GDS), 일상생활동작 수행 능력은 수정된 바델 지수(Modified Barthel Index; MBI), 하지 근력 측정은 앉아서 일어서기 검사(Sit to Stand test; STS), 상·하지 마비측 운동 기능은 퓨글마이어 상·하지 운동 기능 평가(Fugl Meyer-Upper, Lower/Extremity; FM-U/E, L/E), 동적 균형 능력은 버그 균형 척도(Berg Balance Scale; BBS), 기능적 이동성은 일어나 걸어가기 검사(Timed Up & Go test; TUG)를 이용하였다. 낙상 예측의 FES 선별 기준값(cutoff value)을 결정하기 위해 수용자 작업특성곡선(Receiver Operation Characteristic curve; ROC curve)을 이용하였고 FES와 낙상 경험 예측에 영향을 미치는 요인을 알아보기 위하여 단계적 다중 회귀분석(multiple linear regression analysis)과 로지스틱 회귀분석(logistic regression analysis-전진 wald)을 실시하였다. 결과 : 낙상 경험을 예측하는 FES의 선별 기준값이 14.5점 이상이면 낙상의 위험요소를 가졌음을 예측할 수 있는 기준점이 되며, 14.5점 미만이면 비다발성 낙상자로 할 수 있다. FES에 영향을 미치는 요인으로는 TUG, 낙상 경험 예측에 영향을 미치는 변수로 FES가 낙상군과 비낙상군을 선별하는데 가장 큰 영향력을 주는 변수임을 확인 할 수 있었다. 결론 : FES는 낙상의 두려움에 대한 낙상 관련 자기 효능감을 평가하고 기능적 수행 능력의 정도를 파악할 수 있으며, 낙상 경험의 위험성을 예측하는데 신뢰할만한 평가 도구로 임상 지표로 활용이 가능할 것이다. 추후 개개 환자들의 낙상위험요소를 포괄적으로 파악하기 위해서는 신체 기능을 평가하는 정량적인 분석과 더불어 심리학적인 요소가 추가된 연구가 필요할 것이다.

The aim of the study was to identify which fall-prevention program offered in community settings in Korea is the most effective in strengthening muscles. Muscle weakness is one of the major risk factors causing falls among the elderly. Randomized controlled trials and clinical controlled trials published between 1996 and February 2011 were included in this study. Seventeen of the 69 identified studies met the study's criteria and were included in this meta-analysis. The overall effect size of the program was .822 (95% confidence interval= .717~.927). The general strengthening exercise (1.608), dance sports training (1.538), Thera-band exercise for lower extremities (1.517), Seniorobic exercise (1.146), gait training (.959), balance training (.909), gradual resistive exercise (.888), and multifactorial fall prevention (.842) programs all show positive effects on muscle strengthening. Subgroup analyses found that more relative effects are seen in programs offered to the more elderly. In this study, the effect of increasing muscle strength on the prevention of falls can only be indirectly suggested; there are few available studies that report the frequency or history of falls in Korea. Further studies are needed to examine the direct effect of fall prevention exercise programs among the elderly.

목적 : 본 연구의 목적은 농촌지역 노인들의 낙상효능감에 영향을 미치는 변인을 확인하기 위하여 신체적, 심리적 요인들을 고려하여 이들 변인들간의 인과적 관계를 알아보고, 매개변인인 이동기능을 통한 영향를 알아보기 위함이다. 연구 방법 : 2008년 9월 3일부터 2009년 5월 30일까지 논산지역 13곳의 경로당을 이용하는 노인 290명을 대상자로 하였다. 신체적 요인은 신체 부위별 임피던스를 측정하는 InBody 720을 사용하여 하지근육량과 비만도를 측정하였고, 심리적 요인은 통증과 우울에 관한 검사가 실시되었다. 이동기능은 이동능력(Timed Up and Go: TUG)과 선따라 걷기 검사가 실시되었고 낙상효능감에 대한 자료는 낙상효능감 척도(Fall Efficacy Scale: FES)를 사용하였다. 분석은 신체적, 심리적 요인들을 외생변인으로 선정하여 중간 매개변인인 기능이동능력과 최종 내생변인인 낙상효능감에 미치는 인과적 영향을 분석하기 위하여 Amos 7.0의 ML(Maximum Likelihood) 추정절차를 사용하였다. 결과 : 낙상효능감에 영향을 미치는 변인들 간의 상관성을 분석한 결과에서 이동하기, 복부비만과 내장비만, 통증,우울 그리고 연령에서 부적(negative)인 상관관계가 있는 것으로 나타났고, 하지의 근력과 성별에서는 정적(positive)인 상관관계가 있었다. 매개변인인 이동능력에 유의미한 인과 영향을 갖는 요인으로는 하지근육량(β=-.352), 비만도(β=.159), 심리적변인(β=.240)이었고 통제변인에서는 연령(β=.424)이었다. 최종내생변인은 이동기능(β=-.524)과 심리적 변인(β=-.152)이 통계적으로 유의미하였다. 간접영향과 직접영향을 고려한 전체 영향에서 절대적 크기 순서로 나열하면, 이동기능(-.524), 심리적 변인(-.236), 연령(-.164)이다. 결론 : 농촌지역 노인들의 낙상효능감에 영향을 미치는 요인은 이동기능, 하지근육량, 심리적변인, 비만도, 연령이다. 따라서 작업치료에서 노인의 낙상효능감을 증진시켜 일상생활 수행능력을 향상시키기 위해서 이상의 요인들을 고려한 작업치료 중재 프로그램이 개발되어야 한다.

Falling is a serious problem associated with aging. Unintentional injury, which most often results from falling, is one of the leading causes of death in elderly people. The purpose of this study is to investigate the risk factors of falls and to compare characteristics of people who fall with that of non-fallers among the rural community-dwelling elderly of Korea. A sample of 201 people, living in the community, aged 60 years and over was taken from the members of a center for seniors located in Jecheon city. The mean age of the participants was 70.5 years of age. The participants are comprised of 151 women and 50 men. Eighty four of the 201 participants (41.8%) fell during the previous year. Twenty two of the fallers (26.2%) fell down more than two times. It was found that fallers had poorer eyesight, multiple chronic diseases and a more difficult time walking than non-fallers. In the logistic regression analysis of falls, only the difficulty of walking one kilometer (OR=2.4) and chronic diseases (OR=2.5) have shown an increased risk of falls. The risk of recurrent falls is, in addition, influenced by the difficulty of walking one kilometer. The result of our study shows that the impairment of mobility was the strongest risk factor of recurrent falling.

The purpose of the study was to determine if there was a difference in the Functional Ambulation Performance score of senior adults with or without a history of falls during walking at a preferred velocity. Twelve subjects with a history of falling (mean age=73.8) and eight subjects with no history of falling (mean age=70.4) participated in the study. Temporal and spatial parameters of gait were analyzed using the computerized GAITRite system. The GAITRite system integrates specific components of locomotion to provide a single, numerical representation of gait, the Functional Ambulation Performance score. The Functional Ambulation Performance score is a Quantitative means of assessing gait based on specific temporal and spatial parameters. Statistical analysis of the two groups demonstrated a significant decrease in Functional Ambulation Performance score for those with a history of falls. They had lower values for step/extremity ratios, mean normalized velocity, and greater values for step times, percent in double support. These results indicate that the GAITRite system can be useful in detecting footfall patterns and selected time and distance measurements of persons with a history of falls and the Functional Ambulation Performance score can be used as indicators of gait performance for senior adults with a history of falls.