Objective

To characterize the effect of handrail height and age on trunk and shoulder kinematics, and concomitant handrail forces, on balance recovery reactions during gait.

Background

Falls are the leading cause of unintentional injury in adults in North America. Handrails can significantly enhance balance recovery and help individuals to avoid falls, provided that their design allows users across the lifespan to reach and grasp the rail after balance loss, and control their trunk by applying hand-contact forces to the rail. However, the effect of handrail height and age on trunk and shoulder kinematics when recovering from perturbations during gait is unknown.

Method

Fourteen younger and 13 older adults experienced balance loss (sudden platform translations) while walking beside a height-adjustable handrail. Handrail height was varied from 30 to 44 inches (76 to 112 cm). Trunk and shoulder kinematics were measured via 3D motion capture; applied handrail forces were collected from load cells mounted to the rail.

Results

As handrail height increased (up to 42 inches/107 cm), peak trunk angular displacement and velocity generally decreased, while shoulder elevation angles during reaching and peak handrail forces did not differ significantly between 36 and 42 inches (91 and 107 cm). Age was associated with reduced peak trunk angular displacements, but did not affect applied handrail forces.

Conclusion

Higher handrails (up to 42 inches) may be advantageous for trunk control when recovering from destabilizations during gait.

Application

Our results can inform building codes, workplace safety standards, and accessibility standards, for safer handrail design.

中文翻译：

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步态过程中扶手高度和年龄对躯干和肩部运动学的影响 - 引起的抓握反应

客观的

描述扶手高度和年龄对躯干和肩部运动学的影响，以及伴随的扶手力对步态期间平衡恢复反应的影响。

背景

跌倒是北美成年人意外伤害的主要原因。扶手可以显着增强平衡恢复并帮助个人避免跌倒，前提是扶手的设计允许用户在整个生命周期内在失去平衡后够到并抓住扶手，并通过向扶手施加手接触力来控制他们的躯干。然而，当从步态扰动中恢复时，扶手高度和年龄对躯干和肩部运动学的影响尚不清楚。

方法

14 名年轻人和 13 名老年人在走在高度可调的扶手旁时失去平衡（突然的平台平移）。扶手高度从 30 到 44 英寸（76 到 112 厘米）不等。通过 3D 运动捕捉测量躯干和肩部运动学；从安装在导轨上的称重传感器收集施加的扶手力。

结果

随着扶手高度的增加（高达 42 英寸/107 厘米），峰值躯干角位移和速度普遍下降，而肩部仰角和峰值扶手力在 36 和 42 英寸（91 和 107 厘米）之间没有显着差异。年龄与峰值躯干角位移减少相关，但不影响施加的扶手力。

结论

当从步态不稳定中恢复时，更高的扶手（高达 42 英寸）可能有利于躯干控制。

应用

我们的结果可以为建筑规范、工作场所安全标准和无障碍标准提供信息，以实现更安全的扶手设计。