From Athletes To The Elderly: The Science Of Trips And Falls

From Athletes To The Elderly: The Science Of Trips And Falls
Woman on staircase
Woman on staircase

New research into how we maintain our balance could help athletes and prevent falls among the elderly.

Scientists are finding that maintaining stability and balance with each step we take requires complex coordination of foot placement, arm movement, trunk angle and neck and head motion. That's because every step is different from the one before it. There are slight variations in stride length and width and the angle at which the foot hits the ground, as well as small shifts of weight in the torso. People's bodies when walking must constantly make minuscule adjustments to accommodate these variations.

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