Keywords

physical activity, fall risk, older adults, balance perturbation, reactive balance, accelerometry

Abstract

Falls are a major concern for the health and safety of older adults worldwide. This dissertation consists of three primary studies that focus on fall prevention through tailored interventions based on optimal physical activity (PA) recommendations, the incongruence between physiological fall risk and fear of falling (FOF), and the development of a balance perturbation device for reactive balance assessment and training in older adults. The first study investigated the combined effects of PA and sedentary behavior (SB) on fall risk and body composition in older adults. Results showed that low sedentary status was associated with reduced fall risk and better body composition profile, even in those not meeting PA guidelines. These findings highlight the need to identify the optimal ratio of SB, light-intensity PA (LPA), and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) that can help reduce fall risk among older adults. The second study examined how the discrepancy between physiological fall risk and FOF in older adults is associated with their habitual PA levels. Results showed that FOF is a significant barrier for older adults to engage in high-intensity PA, regardless of balance and strength. These findings emphasize the need for tailored intervention strategies to promote PA based on an individual's FOF and physiological fall risk. The third study developed a cable-driven ankle perturbation system for studying reactive balance responses in older adults. Reactive balance is distinct from static and dynamic balance abilities and can provide more task-specificity in recovering balance stability following unexpected walking perturbations, such as slips or trips. Preliminary results from one healthy young subject demonstrated that the system could deliver random, unanticipated slip and trip perturbations of varying intensities at specific points in the gait cycle. Further investigation is necessary to validate its effectiveness as an assessment and training tool for improving reactive balance responses in older adults.

Completion Date

2024

Semester

Summer

Committee Chair

Park, Joon-Hyuk

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

College

College of Engineering and Computer Science

Department

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Degree Program

Mechanical Engineering

Format

application/pdf

Release Date

8-15-2029

Length of Campus-only Access

5 years

Access Status

Doctoral Dissertation (Campus-only Access)

Campus Location

Orlando (Main) Campus

Accessibility Status

Meets minimum standards for ETDs/HUTs

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Restricted to the UCF community until 8-15-2029; it will then be open access.

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