[Las Cruces Sun News]
When a young person falls, he may suffer from embarrassment; when an older person falls, the consequences can be more serious than a bruised ego. To help identify those at risk for potentially serious falls, researchers at New Mexico State University are using a 3D motion-capture system to analyze the gait of older adults. …
The gait analysis will be performed at NMSU’s recently constructed Reduced Gravity and Biomechanics Lab. Subjects will have photo-reflective technical markers placed on various parts of the body – arms, chest, back, legs and feet – to help the 10-camera system track the person’s movements in three dimensions. …
Specialized software generates data Wood and Ma can analyze to determine what distinguishes a normal gait from an abnormal gait. Once these factors are isolated, researchers can more accurately determine not only who is at risk for falls, but their degree of risk. Moreover, the development of a sensitive assessment can be used to assess the efficacy of future interventions.
According to Wood, falls are the number one cause of injurious death in older adults and one out of every three older adults will fall each year.
“Associated with falls is considerable financial cost to the patient and family, time lost at work to the patient and/or family members and fear and anxiety in the injured person,” Wood said. “This is why it’s important to not only prevent falls, but to work with people who have fallen to both decrease their risk and increase their confidence in activities of daily living.” …
Wood has been conducting research associated with falls since 2000 and has helped develop a written screening instrument and collected risk data on approximately 800 older adults. …
Read the full story here: http://www.lcsun-news.com/las_cruces-news/ci_18730439