Age differences in upper extremity joint moments and strength during a laboratory-based tether-release forward fall arrest in older women

Legg, Hayley S ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4995-2091, Arnold, Cathy M, Farthing, Jonathan P and Lanovaz, Joel L (2022) Age differences in upper extremity joint moments and strength during a laboratory-based tether-release forward fall arrest in older women. Journal of Biomechanics, 138. p. 111107. doi:10.1016/j.jbiomech.2022.111107

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Abstract

Age-related declines in upper extremity muscle strength may affect an older adult’s ability to land and control a simulated forward fall impact. The role of individual upper extremity joints during a forward fall impact has not been examined. The purpose was to evaluate the age differences in upper extremity joint moment contributions during a simulated forward fall and upper extremity muscle strength in older women. A convenience sample of 68 older women (70 (8) yrs) performed three trials of a simulated forward fall. Percentage joint moments of the upper extremity were recorded. Upper extremity muscle strength was collected via handgrip, hand-held dynamometry of the shoulder and elbow and a custom multi-joint concentric and eccentric strength isokinetic dynamometer protocol. Percentage joint moment contributions differed between women in their sixties and seventies with significantly greater relative shoulder joint involvement (P =.008), coupled with lower elbow joint contributions (P =.004) in comparison to 80 year olds. An increase in each year of age was associated with a 4% increase in elbow contribution (Beta = -0.421, r2 = 17.9, P = 0.0001) and a 3.7% decrease in shoulder contribution (Beta = 0.373, r2 = 14.6, P = 0.002). Older women exhibit different landing strategies as they age. Fall injury prevention research should consider interventions focused on these differences taking into account the contributions of upper extremity strength.

Item Type:	Article
Article Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Accidental falls; Fall related injury; Older adult; Upper limb
Subjects:	Q Science > QP Physiology
Divisions:	Schools and Research Institutes > School of Education, Health and Sciences
Research Priority Areas:	Health, Life Sciences, Sport and Wellbeing
Depositing User:	Rhiannon Goodland
Date Deposited:	02 Nov 2023 14:05
Last Modified:	12 Oct 2025 10:00
URI:	https://eprints.glos.ac.uk/id/eprint/13383

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