Consideration of knee pain can be crucial for identifying fall-related gait patterns. Gait parameters while walking at usual speed were examined in persons with different falls and knee pain status. Study participants were 439 adults aged 60 to 92 years. Persons with a falls history had a wider stride width (p = 0.036) and longer double support time (p = 0.034) than non-fallers. In the absence of knee pain, fallers had longer double support time than non-fallers (p = 0.012), but no differences in double support time by fall history was observed in participants with knee pain. With slower gait speed, fallers with knee pain have narrower stride width and larger hip range of motion (p = 0.027, and p = 0.001, respectively). Results suggest the importance of considering knee pain in fall studies for better understanding fall related differential gait mechanisms and for designing fall prevention intervention strategies.

Journal of aging and physical activity

2018

http://journals.humankinetics.com/doi/abs/10.1123/japa.2017-0225?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori:rid:crossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub%3dpubmed

J Aging Phys Act