CAREER: Biomechanical Analyses of Balance Recovery During Falls in Young and Old Adults

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9702275 Thelen The issue addressed in this research is to determine why elderly adults are not capable of arresting a fall that they likely would have arrested when they were young. It is estimated that approximately one-third of persons over 65 fall each year and one-quarter of elderly fallers sustain serious injuries such as wrist and hip fractures. While all humans are bound to encounter disturbances such as trips while walking, avoiding a fall requires one to sense a loss of balance, process, plan and implement a reaction using the central nervous system, and then execute the movements by the muscular system. This study will use both experiments and computer simulations to investigate how age-related changes in these systems (sensory, central nervous or muscular) contribute to balance difficulties in elderly adults. In the experiments, young and elderly adults will be released from a leaning posture and will have to step rapidly to regain balance. Forces, muscle electrical activities and movement will be recorded on a computer during these tasks. These data will be used to compare reaction times, muscle coordination and muscle strength development of old adults with young adults. These comparisons will provide a better understanding of the underlying physiological differences that put older adults at risks for falls. In addition to the experiments, computer simulations will be conducted to further estimate how changes in physiological factors affect balance abilities. The simulations consist of a mathematical representation of the human body in which muscle electrical signals are inputted and the resulting human movement is predicted. Physiologic factors, such as muscle strength and reaction time, can be easily adjusted in the computer simulations and the effects on the stepping movement determined. The computer simulations can thus be used to predict how reductions in strength and slowing of movement speed (traits often observed in elderly) a ffect balance recovery abilities. The primary objective of the education plan is to enhance the continuing development of a quality engineering program, at a science strong liberal arts college, which prepares students for direct entry into engineering graduate school. A combination of innovative instruction techniques and research projects will be used to accomplish this objective. One important component of the education plan is the use of collaborative learning in the classroom. Collaborative learning involves instituting extensive efforts to actively engage students in classroom discussion and problem solving, thus making the classroom a stimulating learning environment. Another important component is the educating and challenging of undergraduate students by involving them in summer research projects. The ultimate goal of the education plan is to create an atmosphere in which students experience the excitement of intellectual challenge, gain a thorough understanding of engineering concepts and have a wording ability to solve real engineering problems creatively. ***