How is the plantar pressure distribution system applied in the field of fall risk assessment for the

Nowadays, with the aging of society, falls among the elderly have become a widely concerned health issue.

And the plantar pressure and gait analyzer can currently play an extremely crucial role in this field, serving as one of the important assessment tools.

The plantar pressure and gait analyzer is also referred to as the plantar pressure distribution system.

It mainly uses high-density sensors to record data such as plantar pressure distribution of the human body during walking or static standing, and then conducts systematic analysis through software to generate data including pressure distribution maps, center of gravity trajectory diagrams and gait cycles.

How is the plantar pressure and gait analyzer applied in the fall risk assessment of the elderly?

1. Static balance test.

During the test, the elderly are required to stand still on the sensing area of the pressure plate for testing.

In this process, the equipment collects and records the range and frequency of the elderly’s center of gravity swing.

If the trajectory of the center of gravity fluctuates frequently or deviates greatly, it indicates that the elderly have weak balance control ability and are at risk of falling.

In addition, eyes-closed standing can be conducted during the test. The eyes-closed test can further evaluate the elderly’s dependence on vision, so as to judge whether the vestibular system and proprioceptive function of the elderly have suffered severe decline.

2. Dynamic test.

During the test, the elderly only need to walk back and forth across the pressure plate naturally for 3 to 5 times without deliberate movements.

The system records and analyzes key indicators of the elderly during walking, such as step length, step width and stress symmetry of both feet.

For example, unstable step length and obvious uneven stress on the left and right feet mean problems such as decreased muscle strength or significantly weakened nerve control ability in the elderly, all of which may be warning signs of frequent falls.

3. Comprehensive assessment through static and dynamic measurement.

With the evaluation of multiple data and results from various test modes, a risk model is established to grade the elderly’s fall risk levels, including low risk, medium risk and high risk.

Rehabilitation therapists will prepare personalized reports, which not only point out existing potential problems, but also provide feasible intervention suggestions, such as lower limb muscle strength strengthening training, balance training and gait habit adjustment training.

4. Data tracking.

The test data of the plantar pressure plate can be stored and filed for follow-up observation.

Regular evaluation helps analyze data changes of the elderly before and after rehabilitation training, verify whether the intervention training and treatment have achieved expected effects, and optimize subsequent intervention plans for better results.