Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Yuanyuan Chen, Hui Du, Mi Song, Ting Liu, Pei Ge, Yue Xu, Hongying Pi
Summary: Older stroke patients with reduced balance and mobility are more susceptible to fear of falling (FOF), which can lead to excessive activity restriction, poor balance, and recurrent falls. This study investigated the interaction between FOF and fall risk in older stroke patients and found that FOF is influenced by depression, fall history, poor balance ability, and limited physical activity. Attention should be paid to FOF during stroke recovery and fall prevention, and a multifaceted intervention program should be designed to address FOF and prevent falls.
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Mahmoud Habibnezhad, Shayan Shayesteh, Houtan Jebelli, Jay Puckett, Terry Stentz
Summary: Virtual reality simulations of gait can serve as reliable indicators for assessing fall risk at construction sites. A study examining the effectiveness of a virtual reality simulator in evaluating upper-limb stability during gait at height showed promising results, potentially leading to more effective fall-related safety training and hazard-prevention techniques.
AUTOMATION IN CONSTRUCTION
(2021)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Guelistan Bahat Ozturk, C. Kilic, M. E. Bozkurt, M. A. Karan
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of fear of falling (FOF) in older adults and its associations with various factors. The results showed that FOF is common in community-dwelling older adults and is significantly associated with anxiety, ADL limitations, and female sex.
JOURNAL OF NUTRITION HEALTH & AGING
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Yue Luo, Xiaojie Lu, Nicolas S. Grimaldi, Sherry Ahrentzen, Boyi Hu
Summary: This study aimed to examine the effects of target salience on older adults' walking performance and investigate whether older adults with varying levels of fear of falling behave differently. The results showed that a more salient target at the destination increased older adults' gait speed and improved their walking stability. Older adults with low fear of falling showed more substantial lower-body posture adjustments with the salient target presented in the environment. On the other hand, it was advised for older adults with high fear of falling to implement a more straightforward falling intervention in their living areas.
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Toby J. Ellmers, Mark R. Wilson, Meriel Norris, William R. Young
Summary: This study provides insight into the development and consequences of worries about falling in older people. It highlights the importance of considering an individual's perception of control in relation to worries about falling. Depending on whether the individual perceives control over the subject of their worries, worries can lead to either protective adaptations to behavior or unhelpful changes in behavior.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Maria Alzar-Teruel, Fidel Hita-Contreras, Antonio Martinez-Amat, Maria Leyre Lavilla-Lerma, Raquel Fabrega-Cuadros, Jose Daniel Jimenez-Garcia, Agustin Aibar-Almazan
Summary: The study demonstrates that the SARC-F questionnaire is an independent predictor of the risk of falling among middle-aged and older community-dwelling postmenopausal women.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Ching-Yao Tsai, En-Sheng Lin, Yang-Tzu Li, Tao-Hsin Tung, Wei-Cheng Chen
Summary: This study investigated the association between building storey and fall risk as well as fear of falling among older adults. It found a correlation between storey of building and fall/worry about falling, with higher rates among residents of single-storey buildings compared to multi-storey buildings. Logistic regression analysis did not show a highly significant association between building storey and fall/fear of falling.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Patricia Castro, Shree Vadera, Matthew James Bancroft, Joseph Buttell, Diego Kaski
Summary: This case study presents a 78-year-old woman with sudden onset Fear of falling (FoF) and no history of falls, who improved with Cognitive Physical Therapy (CPT). Cognitive changes led to altered gait behavior, and CPT improved objective gait parameters related to FoF, reducing postural anxiety.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Ophthalmology
Ursula E. White, Alex A. Black, Kim Delbaere, Joanne M. Wood
Summary: The study found that older people with AMD had higher levels of concern about falling compared to the visually normal control group. Factors associated with concern about falling in those with AMD included reduced contrast sensitivity, slower sit-to-stand times, and higher anxiety scores.
OPHTHALMIC AND PHYSIOLOGICAL OPTICS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Antony G. Philippe, Aurelie Goncalves, Christophe Martinez, Maxime Deshayes, Elodie Charbonnier
Summary: This study examined the effects of a short multicomponent physical exercise program on fall risk and fear of falling among older adults. The results showed that the program had a positive impact on balance and fear of falling, with an increase in balance and a decrease in fear of falling after the program. However, the program had no significant effect on lower limb endurance. Higher gains in balance were associated with a reduction in fear of falling. The findings suggest that an 8-week multicomponent physical exercise program focused on balance can effectively reduce fall risk and fear of falling among the elderly.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Qingqing Su, Yuan Gao, Jie Zhang, Jingping Tang, Mi Song, Jie Song, Yazhan Mao, Hongying Pi
Summary: The study revealed a high prevalence of fear of falling among senior citizens in rural China, which is strongly correlated with physical function performance and fall history. Therefore, targeted prevention measures for fear of falling are essential in improving physical activity in seniors and ultimately preventing falls and enhancing quality of life.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Laura J. Westacott, Trevor Humby, Niels Haan, Sophie A. Brain, Emma-Louise Bush, Margarita Toneva, Andreea-Ingrid Baloc, Anna L. Moon, Jack Reddaway, Michael J. Owen, Jeremy Hall, Timothy R. Hughes, B. Paul Morgan, William P. Gray, Lawrence S. Wilkinson
Summary: Complement plays a key role in emotional reactivity, with different components impacting innate anxiety and learned fear selectively. The effects on anxiety and fear are mediated by different signaling mechanisms within the complement system.
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2022)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Ladda Thiamwong, Boon Peng Ng, Rick Yiu Cho Kwan, Jom Suwanno
Summary: The study shows that maladaptive fall risk appraisal is common among adults aged 60 and above, and has a significant impact on falls. Early identification of maladaptive fall risk appraisal is crucial for fall prevention.
CLINICAL GERONTOLOGIST
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Michela Candini, Simone Battaglia, Mariagrazia Benassi, Giuseppe di Pellegrino, Francesca Frassinetti
Summary: Interpersonal space refers to the area individuals maintain between themselves and others during social interactions. Research has shown that skin conductance response increases when individuals are exposed to closeness of an unknown person, suggesting a functional link between behavioral components of IPS regulation and underlying physiological processes.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Ryuichi Sawa, Takehiko Doi, Kota Tsutsumimoto, Sho Nakakubo, Satoshi Kurita, Yuto Kiuchi, Kazuhei Nishimoto, Hiroyuki Shimada
Summary: The combined effect of frailty and fear of falling (FoF) on incident disability in older adults was examined in this study. The results showed that regardless of baseline frailty status, the proportion of incident disability increased linearly with the level of FoF. Participants who were both frail and had FoF had a higher risk of incident disability compared to those with only frailty or neither.
AGING CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Biological
Johnny V. V. Parr, Germano Gallicchio, Andres Canales-Johnson, Liis Uiga, Greg Wood
Summary: Research shows that focusing internally on movement control or bodily sensations disrupts motor control effectiveness and efficiency, while focusing externally on the outcome of movement is more effective. This study investigated how attentional focus strategies affect kinetic, cortical, muscular, and corticomuscular activity during an isometric force precision task, revealing that internal focus leads to poorer force accuracy, increased muscle activity, altered EEG alpha and theta activity, and lowered corticomuscular coherence. The findings provide a holistic understanding of how attentional focus strategies impact corticomuscular control in motor tasks.
Article
Neurosciences
Johnny V. V. Parr, Liis Uiga, Ben Marshall, Greg Wood
Summary: The study examines the immediate effects of soccer heading on brain function and brain-muscle communication. The findings suggest that a short bout of soccer heading impairs cognitive function and disrupts neural processes associated with motor skill proficiency. Additionally, soccer heading induces corticomuscular hyperconnectivity, potentially indicating inefficient allocation of neuromuscular resources.
FRONTIERS IN HUMAN NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kathryn J. Hadwin, Greg Wood, Sally Payne, Christopher Mackintosh, Johnny V. V. Parr
Summary: The MABC-2 is widely used for diagnosing developmental coordination disorder, but there are concerns about its scoring system, lack of formal training, and oversight of higher functioning DCD children.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Johnny V. V. C. Parr, Adam Galpin, Liis Uiga, Ben Marshall, David J. Wright, Zoe C. Franklin, Greg Wood
Summary: The study aimed to design and validate a self-report measure called the Prosthesis Task Load Index (PROS-TLX), which captures the array of mental, physical, and emotional demands often experienced by users of upper-limb prostheses. The findings showed that using a prosthesis resulted in slower movements, more errors, and a greater tendency to visually fixate the hand, accompanied by significant increases in PROS-TLX workload subscales. The scale also demonstrated good convergent and divergent validity.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Timmion K. Skervin, Neil M. Thomas, Andrew J. Schofield, Mark A. Hollands, Constantinos N. Maganaris, Thomas D. O'Brien, Vasilios Baltzopoulos, Richard J. Foster
Summary: This study compared the measurement of stair toe clearance using a novel photogate setup and optoelectronic systems. The results showed that the photogates could accurately measure real-world stair toe clearances.
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
B. Marshall, L. Uiga, J. V. V. Parr, G. Wood
Summary: Recent research indicates a link between soccer heading and neurodegenerative disease in retired players. To address this, restrictions have been implemented to limit heading in training and matches. This study investigated the effectiveness of training soccer heading in immersive VR and found that the VR group showed improvements in goal scoring, confidence, and self-efficacy. These results support the inclusion of VR-based training for heading skills without exposure to repeated head impacts.
Review
Hospitality, Leisure, Sport & Tourism
Philip Furley, Lisa-Marie Schuetz, Greg Wood
Summary: This critical review provides a comprehensive synthesis on the investigation of Executive Functions (EF) in sport science. It discusses the two most researched questions regarding the enhancement of EF through sports and exercise, and the contribution of EF to superior performance in sports. The review critically evaluates the theoretical and methodological work on EF and points out the problems in conceptualization and measurement. The article concludes by suggesting directions for future theoretical and empirical work in this important field.
INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF SPORT AND EXERCISE PSYCHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Carla Harkness-Armstrong, Emma F. Hodson-Tole, Greg Wood, Richard Mills
Summary: The majority of children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) struggle with balance control, but the underlying neuromechanical mechanisms are not well understood. This study found that at higher oscillation frequencies, children with DCD showed different muscle recruitment strategies compared to typically developing children. They activated their muscles earlier and for longer, but their adjustments were not as finely tuned as those of typically developing children.
FRONTIERS IN HUMAN NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Biological
F. Zambolin, P. Duro Ocana, R. Goulding, A. Sanderson, M. Venturelli, G. Wood, J. McPhee, J. V. V. Parr
Summary: In this study, the corticomuscular mechanisms underlying blood flow occlusion (BFO) were investigated. The results showed that occlusion of non-exercising musculature suppressed electroencephalographic (EEG) alpha activity in the prefrontal cortex. On the other hand, occlusion of exercising musculature suppressed EEG alpha activity in central and posterior cortical regions and impaired brain-muscle communication and neuromuscular activation.
Article
Psychology, Biological
Kate Allen, David Harris, Tom Arthur, Greg Wood, Gavin Buckingham
Summary: This study investigated whether deficits in sensorimotor prediction might underpin the broad spectrum of difficulties individuals with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) face when interacting with objects. The results suggest that issues with sensorimotor prediction are unlikely to affect the performance of simple real-world movements in those with DCD.
QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY
(2023)