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Falls and Postural Stability in Older Individuals: Implications for Activities of Daily Living

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Locomotion and Posture in Older Adults

Abstract

The risk of falling is associated with aging-related motor and sensory declines. In fact, a higher incidence of falls has been observed in individuals of over 60 years who are known to have balance problems. The current knowledge regarding the mechanisms involved in the recovery of postural orientation and body equilibrium shows that the main changes occur as individuals become older and in those who are sedentary or are affected by some diseases. Extensive research and preventive efforts regarding the causes and consequences of falling have been conducted to better understand this issue. Fortunately, older individuals who practice regular physical activity present a healthy lifestyle and a lower risk and incidence of falling which may be associated with functioning of the postural control system. Recently, public health policies have been adopted by many countries in order to improve the quality of life of older individuals and reduce the high number of fallers among the elderly.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physical Education, Laboratory of Information, Vision, and Action (LIVIA), Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp), Campus Bauru, São Paulo, Brazil

    Paula Fávaro Polastri

  2. Department of Physical Education, Federal University of São Carlos – UFSCar, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil

    Daniela Godoi

  3. Department of Gerontology, Federal University of São Carlos – UFSCar, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil

    Karina Gramani-Say

Authors
  1. Paula Fávaro Polastri
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  2. Daniela Godoi
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  3. Karina Gramani-Say
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Correspondence to Paula Fávaro Polastri .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp), Department of Physical Education, Human Movement Research Laboratory – MOVI-LAB, Campus Bauru, São Paulo, Brazil

    Fabio Augusto Barbieri

  2. Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp), Department of Physical Education, Posture and Gait Studies Lab (LEPLO), Campus Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brazil

    Rodrigo Vitório

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Polastri, P.F., Godoi, D., Gramani-Say, K. (2017). Falls and Postural Stability in Older Individuals: Implications for Activities of Daily Living. In: Barbieri, F., Vitório, R. (eds) Locomotion and Posture in Older Adults. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-48980-3_17

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-48980-3_17

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  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-48980-3

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