Prediction of Balance Perturbations and Falls on Stairs in Older People Using a Biomechanical Profiling Approach: A 12-Month Longitudinal Study.

Background: Stair falls are a major health problem for older people, but presently, there are no specific screening tools for stair fall prediction. The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether stair fallers could be differentiated from nonfallers by biomechanical risk factors or physical/psychological parameters and to establish the biomechanical stepping profile posing the greatest risk for a stair fall.

Methods: Eighty-seven older adults (age: 72.

Reliability and Limits of Agreement of the Supraspinatus Muscle Anatomical Cross-Sectional Area Assessment by Ultrasonography.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability and limits of agreement for assessment of the anatomical cross-sectional area (ACSA) of the supraspinatus muscle using B-mode ultrasonography. Sixteen participants were examined with two different protocols, on two different days. There were no statistically significant differences (p > 0.

Ultrasound does not provide reliable results for the measurement of the patellar tendon cross sectional area.

Purpose: This study examined the reliability of patellar tendon cross sectional area (CSA) measurement using brightness mode ultrasonography.

Methods: The patellar tendon CSA of fourteen participants was examined on two different days and at three different positions (proximal, median and distal). Five trials per day were conducted in each position, replacing the ultrasound probe on every trial.