Study targets fall prevention
A new study that visually captures how older adults fall is helping researchers determine ways to prevent and minimalize the effects of falls.
Steve Robinovitch, a Simon Fraser University biomedical engineer, is leading a research team in the study of “real life” falls (as they happen) at two long-term care facilities, one in Delta, the other in New Westminster, B.C.
At each location, a network of digital cameras is being used to capture video footage of movements before, during and after falls experienced by older adults. To date researchers have analysed data on more than 200 falls. They expect to catch as many as 800 over the five-year study.
“Falls are the number one cause of injury, yet no study has measured their causes and circumstances, or analyzed how fall mechanisms associate with physiological and environmental factors,” says Robinovitch, who holds a Canada Research Chair in injury prevention and mobility biomechanics at SFU.
In earlier studies, Robinovitch developed mathematical models to show how the forces generated during falls compare to the fracture strength of the hip and lumbar vertebrae (lower back), research that has aided in the design of fall interventions such as wearable hip protectors and wrist guards.
As part of this latest study, researchers are developing wearable sensor systems that will tell when a fall occurs as well as the activity, cause, and severity of impact. They can also be used to monitor the effect of interventions such as environmental modifications, exercise programs or changes in medications.
Researchers are also watching for clues on how to design better walkers and assistive devices.
Robinovitch says advances made by the research team in terms of "fall-proof" compliant flooring and wearable protective gear should have applications to injury prevention in sports, including basketball, hockey and mountain biking.
One type of protective gear being developed by the team involves active, inflatable elements (like an airbag), that would be triggered by wearable sensors which can detect the impending impact.
The role of physical fitness in avoiding falls or reducing fall injury has also been a key focus for Robinovitch. His studies of balance recovery and the role of strength, flexibility and reaction time in determining recovery have led to new exercise based therapies to enhance balance.
He’s keenly watching how elite athletes work to avoid falls during the Olympic games. “During the men's Olympic downhill skiing, it was impressive to note the incredible strength of these athletes in recovering from imbalance and avoiding falls, and in protecting themselves from injury in the event of a wipe-out, even at such high speeds,” he says.
Robinovitch’s latest research is funded by $1.5 million from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and involves SFU researchers in kinesiology, engineering, computing science and gerontology, as well as several outside collaborators.
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