Structural and functional foot and ankle characteristics associated with falls in older people

Pol, F; Forghany, S; Hosseini, SM; Taheri, A; Menz, HB

Abstract

Falls affect approximately one in three older people, and foot problems are amongst the modifiable potential risk factors. what are the associations between foot and ankle functional and structural characteristics with falls in community-dwelling older adults? One hundred eighty-seven community-dwelling older adults (106 females) aged 62-90 years (mean 70.5 ± 5.2) from Isfahan, Iran were recruited. Foot and ankle structure and function (including foot posture, range of motion, muscle strength, deformity, pain and plantar loading patterns during walking) were measured. Fall history was documented in the preceding year. Univariate analyses compared fallers and non-fallers on all variables to determine significant differences and logistic regression analysis identified variables independently associated with falls. Seventy-four participants (39.9 %) had experienced a fall in the previous year. Logistic regression analysis revealed that less first metatarsophalangeal joint extension (odds ratio 0.82, 95 % CI 0.73-0.91), less plantarflexor muscle strength (odds ratio 0.29, 95 % CI 0.15-0.55), greater pressure-time integral in the medial forefoot (odds ratio 2.65, 95 %CI 1.10-6.38), greater center of pressure velocity in the forefoot (odds ratio 1.27, 95 % CI 1.07-1.49) and greater foot pain (odds ratio 1.09, 95 % CI 1.02-1.16) were significantly and independently associated with falls after accounting for physiological falls risk factors. We have identified several structural and functional foot and ankle characteristics associated with falling in older people. Future development of interventions to help prevent or treat these potentially modifiable risk factors may help decrease the risk of falling in this population. [Abstract copyright: Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.]

Citation

Pol, F., Forghany, S., Hosseini, S., Taheri, A., & Menz, H. (2021). Structural and functional foot and ankle characteristics associated with falls in older people. Gait & Posture, 88, 78-83. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2021.05.012

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 10, 2021
• Online Publication Date: May 12, 2021
• Publication Date: Jul 1, 2021
• Deposit Date: Aug 13, 2021
• Journal: Gait & Posture
• Print ISSN: 0966-6362
• Electronic ISSN: 1879-2219
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Volume: 88
• Pages: 78-83
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2021.05.012
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2021.05.012
• Related Public URLs: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/gait-and-posture/
• Additional Information: Additional Information : ** From PubMed via Jisc Publications Router **Journal IDs: eissn 1879-2219 **Article IDs: pubmed: 34004591; pii: S0966-6362(21)00192-2 **History: accepted 10-05-2021; revised 03-05-2021; submitted 21-01-2021; Funders : Musculoskeletal Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences; Grant Number: IR.MUI.RESEARCH.REC.1398.451