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Journal of Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine
Volume 1, Issue 1 Euro Physiotherapy 2017
Notes:
Page 24
December 07-08, 2017 Rome, Italy
4th Euro-Global Physiotherapy Congress 2017
Relationship of backward walking to clinical
outcome measures used to predict falls in
the older population: A factor analysis
Carol A Maritz, Silbernagel K G and Pohlig R
University of the Sciences, USA
Background: Backward walking has been found to be
a more sensitive measure to detect fallers than forward
walking. It involves greater reliance on neuromuscular
control to make up for the lack of vision. In fact, backward
walking speed has been determined to more accurately
identify fallers in the older population than forward walking.
This study examined if backward walking measures more
than one underlying factor while also the examining the
relationship between it and other clinical measures used
to identify falls risk.
Methods: A convenience sample of 57 older adults (10
males and 47 females) with a mean age of 78.8 years
(SD 8.9 years) participated in this cross-sectional study.
Subjects walked backward on the computerized walkway
system recording gait velocity, stride and step length,
stance and swing time, single and double support.
Additionally, subjects were tested on clinical measures
commonly used to assess falls risk. An exploratory factor
analysis was performed on various aspects of backward
walking. Factor scores were found and then correlated
with the selected clinical measures.
Results: Results revealed that there are 2 factors
associated with backward walking: cadence and velocity.
Cadence was only mildly correlated to one measure
whereas velocity was highly correlated with each of the
known predictors of falls used.
Conclusion: Given theses findings, a clinician could
quickly measure backward walking velocity and count
the number of steps an individual takes in order to screen
those at-risk for falls.
Biography
Maritz C A has received her certificate in Physical Therapy from Hahnemann
University in Philadelphia in 1981 and her Master’s degree in Gerontology in
1988 from Saint Joseph’s University. In 2004, she has received her Doctorate
in higher education from Nova Southeastern University. She has practiced in
the following settings: acute, skilled nursing, outpatient and home care with
a focus on the geriatric patient. She has started her academic career as a
Physical Therapy Faculty Member at Hahnemann University in 1995 and is
currently a Professor of Physical Therapy and Associate Dean at University
of the Sciences. Her research focuses on the use of exercise to prevent falls
in the older population. She has presented and published her research both
nationally and internationally.
Carol A Maritz et al., J Phys Ther Sports Med 2017