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Human Balance and Falls
Control of balance is vital to everyday life. Maintaining
balance involves highly complex processing of peripheral sensory
information and precise coordination of motor responses. Our
research aims to enhance understanding of human balance and
involves investigations of sensory and motor contributions,
particularly those from the vestibular system. Current studies
are designed to investigate the physiology and biomechanics
of standing, walking, stepping reactions, trips and slips.
Fall risk factors and strategies for prevention of falls in
different populations are being systematically examined in
large-scale studies.
Click here for the Falls
and Balance Research Group homepage.
Understanding
Human Balance
Investigation of the role of different sensory and motor
systems will enhance our understanding of how humans maintain
balance. Studies are being conducted to explore the effects
of vision, sensation and vestibular function on balance while
standing and walking in different groups of people.
Predicting
Falls Risk
Identification of factors which increase an individual’s risk
of falling is vital for prevention of falls and injuries.
Epidemiological and physiological research is being conducted
to enhance our understanding of various risk factors in older
adults and clinical groups.
Preventing
Falls and Injury
Fortunately, many falls can be prevented with appropriate
intervention strategies. Research is underway to develop,
implement and evaluate falls and injury prevention strategies
for hospital patients and other groups of people known to
be at an increased risk of falls.
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