Risk of falling in the elderly from a biomechanical point of view
Authors:
Nohelová D. 1,2; Bizovská L. 1; Janura M. 1; Svoboda Z. 1
Authors‘ workplace:
Katedra přírodních věd v kinantropologii, Fakulta tělesné kultury, Univerzita Palackého v Olomouci
1; Université Grenoble Alpes, AGEIS, Grenoble, Francie
2
Published in:
Rehabil. fyz. Lék., 29, 2022, No. 3, pp. 136-143.
Category:
Review Article
doi:
https://doi.org/10.48095/ccrhfl2022136
Overview
The growing incidence of falls is a global problem that not only affects the quality of life of those involved, but also has a far-reaching economic impact, both direct – including health care costs, and indirect – involving the loss of productivity of those affected and their families. It is known that the incidence of falls increases in the elderly, and therefore the question arises as to what changes occur in old age that may affect the risk and incidence of falls. From a biomechanical point of view, there are fundamental changes that affect the building blocks of the system (muscles, bones, joints, ligaments, fascia, and also the senses), but these cannot be separated from neurophysiological changes, i.e. from the functioning of the central nervous system (including receptors). In old age, the postural setting changes, the range of motion in the joints is reduced, the quality of soft tissues and bones (sarcopenia, osteopenia) deteriorates, muscle strength decreases, visual acuity is lost and hearing and the vestibular system function deteriorate. The number of receptors and their sensitivity is decreasing, the conduction of nerve impulses is slowing down, the process of evaluating information, creating responses and finding adequate movement patterns is also slower. Neuromuscular junction is also affected and movement stereotypes change. A change in the construction of one structure will naturally result in a change in the function of the given structure and affects the function and construction of other structures. All the changes that occur gradually during a person’s life are likely to result in a deterioration of the human body’s ability to respond flexibly and effectively to stressful situations and thus prevent a fall.
Keywords:
Falls – aging – balance control systems – risk factors of falls
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Physiotherapist, university degree Rehabilitation Sports medicineArticle was published in
Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine
2022 Issue 3
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