Falls resulting from a laboratory-induced slip occur at a higher rate among individuals who are obese

Abstract

Falls due to slipping are a serious concern, with slipping estimated to cause 40-50% of all fall-related injuries. Epidemiological data indicates that older and obese adults experience more falls than young, non-obese individuals. An increasingly heavier and older U.S. population and workforce may be exacerbating the problem of slip-induced falls. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of obesity and age on slip severity and rate of falling resulting from laboratory-induced slips. Four groups of participants (young obese, young non-obese, older obese, older non-obese) were slipped while walking at a self-selected, slightly hurried pace. Slip severity (slip distance, slip duration, mean slip speed and peak slip speed) and slip outcome (fall or recovery) were compared between groups. Obese individuals experienced 22% faster slips than non-obese individuals in terms of mean slip speed (p=0.022). Obesity did not affect slip distance, slip duration or peak slip speed. Obese individuals also exhibited a higher rate of falls; 32% of obese individuals fell compared to 10% of non-obese (p=0.005). Obese individuals were more than eight times more likely to experience a fall than non-obese individuals when adjusting for age, gender and gait speed. No age effects were found for slip severity or slip outcome. These results, along with epidemiological data reporting higher fall rates among the obese, indicate that obesity may be a significant risk factor for experiencing slip-induced falls. Slip severity thresholds were also reported that may have value in developing controls for fall prevention.

Keywords: Biomechanics; Falls; Gait; Obesity; Slips.