Journal
ERGONOMICS
Volume 51, Issue 12, Pages 1873-1884Publisher
TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD
DOI: 10.1080/00140130802567087
Keywords
localised muscle fatigue; locomotion; fall accidents; slips and falls
Funding
- NIA NIH HHS [L30 AG022963-03, L30 AG022963] Funding Source: Medline
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Slip-induced fall accidents continue to be a significant cause of fatal injuries and economic losses. Identifying the risk factors causing slip-induced falls is key to developing better preventive measures to reduce fall accidents. Although epidemiological studies suggest localised muscle fatigue may be one of the risk factors for slip-induced falls, there has been no documented biomechanical study examining the relationship between fatigue and fall accidents. As such, the overall objective of the current study was to investigate the effects of localised muscle fatigue of the quadriceps on the slip initiation and slip recovery phases of slip-induced falls. Sixteen healthy, young participants were recruited to walk across a vinyl floor surface in two different sessions (fatigue and no fatigue). Kinematic and kinetic data were collected using a 3-D motion analysis system and force plates during both sessions. Results suggest that localised muscle fatigue of the quadriceps affected various kinematic and kinetic gait variables that are linked with a higher risk of slip-induced falls. Additionally, the results indicated that localised muscle fatigue of the knee extensor muscle caused a delayed response in producing an effective joint moment and base of support using the trailing limb to recover from a fall. The findings from this study indicate that localised muscle fatigue is a potential risk factor causing slip-induced falls.
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