Does Maximum Step Width Have a Relationship with Fall History?

Abstract

[Purpose] Elderly subjects were divided into a falls group and a no-falls group, and their maximum anterior and lateral step widths were measured to investigate their relationships with falls. [Subjects] The subjects were 30 persons (6 males, 24 females) aged over 65, who could walk independently. [Methods] Based on their history of falls in the past year, the subjects were divided into a falls group and a no-falls group. The maximum lateral and anterior step widths were compared between the groups, and the cutoff value was determined. The correlation coefficients of the maximum lateral and anterior step widths were also determined. [Results] Both the maximum anterior and lateral step widths of the falls group were significantly smaller than those of the no-falls group. Furthermore, between the groups, strong correlations for maximum anterior and lateral step widths were found. [Conclusion] Subjects who can make large steps in the anterior and lateral directions have high motor function, and it is our opinion that a decrease in step width possibly increases the risk of falls.