Exploring the Association Between Measures of Obesity and Measures of Trip-induced Fall Risk Among Older Adults.
Noah J Rosenblatt, Michael L Madigan
PMID 34343524WHAT IT FOUND
Waist-to-hip ratio and fat mass index, not BMI, associated with higher trip risk and poorer recovery in older adults.
Those with high waist-to-hip ratio showed variable toe clearance. Those with high fat mass index had less favorable trunk velocity during recovery.
Key findings
01Waist-to-hip ratio and thigh circumference were associated with risk of tripping, but BMI was not.
02Hip circumference, thigh circumference, fat mass index, and total fat were associated with trip recovery measures, but BMI was not.
03Participants with high waist-to-hip ratios exhibited higher variability in toe clearance, and those with high fat mass index exhibited less favorable trunk velocity during recovery.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
Read the rest of this summary
You get three full summaries a month, free, and we do not ask for a card. Search, the TL;DRs and your library stay unlimited either way.
What it does not show
The study was exploratory and did not correct for multiple comparisons. It is not established how these kinematic measures relate to real-world fall risk. The sample size was small (55 participants). 8 participants did not complete DEXA scans.
Declared interests
The study was supported by the National Institutes of Health. No other conflicts of interest are reported.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that BMI is a useless measure for all fall risks. This study specifically looked at trip-induced fall risk mechanisms, where other obesity measures were more sensitive.