Changes in Walking Characteristics of Young and Older Adults When Anticipating Slippery Floors

OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONS

Differences in gait speed control strategies when anticipating a potentially slippery floor were found across age groups, with a group of mostly young adults adopting a potentially more risky strategy consisting of increased step length. Walking across a potentially slippery floor is common in the workplace, and warnings are one way to address this potential hazard. A better understanding of the influence of warnings about potentially slippery surfaces on gait could be used during slip training interventions and prevention programs to help reduce occupational slip-related falls. Specifically, these trainings/programs might benefit from addressing how to modulate gait speed through increased cadence rather than increased step length alone. Adults in both age groups tested here implemented potentially risky proactive strategies, highlighting the need to consider workers of all ages when designing occupational slip prevention measures.

TECHNICAL ABSTRACT

Background: Slips and falls are a major cause of occupational injury and costs. Certain proactive gait strategies can minimize fall risk. Purpose: This study investigated the impact of anticipating slippery floors on peak required coefficient of friction and spatiotemporal gait characteristics among young and older adults, including gait speed control, during walking on dry surfaces. Methods: Eighteen young (20–33 years) and 13 older participants (55–67 years) walked across a dry surface (baseline), experienced an unexpected slip, and walked across another dry surface with warning of a potentially slippery surface (anticipation). General spatiotemporal gait parameters and required coefficient of friction during walking were derived. Results: Young and older adults decreased required coefficient of friction and increased cadence during anticipation, both of which are important in reducing slip risk. Cluster analysis revealed three gait speed control strategies: Cluster 1 = mostly young adults who increased speed, cadence, and step length during anticipation; Cluster 2 = young and older adults who walked with minimal change in speed; Cluster 3 = only older adults who decreased speed through decreasing cadence and step length. Changes in cadence and step length were significantly correlated with changes in speed in older adults; only changes in step length were significantly correlated with changes in speed among young. Conclusions: Walking with decreased required coefficient of friction and increased cadence is beneficial when anticipating a slippery floor. However, walking with increased step length (Cluster 1) could increase slip risk. Avoiding gait speed modulations on potentially slippery surfaces through changes in step length alone should be addressed in occupational slip training and prevention. Interventions aimed at reducing slip risk should focus on increasing cadence if increases in gait speed are desired. Potentially risky proactive strategies implemented highlight the need to include workers of all ages in slip prevention training programs.

KEYWORDS:

• Slip
• fall
• gait
• aging

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The authors thank Dr. Furman for conducting the neurological screenings of this study. This work was supported by a research grant from the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (grant number NIOSH R03 OH007533).