Abstract des Autors

Fear of Falling (FOF), Balance Declines (BD) and Multiple Falls Risks (MFR) influence gait performance in older adults. This study evaluates if and how these factors affect gait variables under Single-Task (ST) and Dual-Task (DT) conditions. A total of 223 participants of females (n=160) and males (n=63) were examined in (a) ST cognitive performance: visual-verbal Stroop test, (b) ST: walking, and (c) DT: walking + Stroop test. The FES-I, self-reported fall risks and SPPB were used to analyze influence factors on gait on a Zebris treadmill (FDM-T) with F-tests (SPSS 22). ST and DT walking analyzing MFR led to different Peak Forces (PF) of the forefoot (F=4.92; p= .028). BD influenced the gait-line (left: F=3.81; p=0.05; right: F=5.44; p=0.012) and accompanying PF from ST to DT. Additionally, they increased step width (F=6.25; p=0.013), decreased step length and PF for the forefoot. FOF increased step width (F=5.27; p=0.023), reduced step length (left: F=21.80; p< .001; right: F=22.23; p< .001) reduced gait-line (left: F=14.18; p<0.001; right: F=15.83; p<0.001) and decreased PF in the midfoot and heel. Differences from ST to DT were found for step width and step length. Overall, FOF and balance declines led to reduced walking quality under ST and DT conditions. However, one has to assume that the DT effect might be independent from the evaluated factors since there was no interaction effect. The data indicates that FOF might have the most impact on gait performance whereas self-reported fall risks do not. It has to be discussed whether self-reported functional declines is accurate in determining an individual's falls risk. Future studies should further investigate on the use of the SPPB and the FES-I as tools to identify reduced stability in ST and DT walking.