Maintaining Posture and Avoiding Tripping

Body sway and tripping, two major problems contributing to falls and their prevention, and implications for the design of environments and training of the individuals who must move about in them are discussed.

Abstract

In attempting to understand the role of visual perception in falls and their prevention, the relationship between the locomoting individual and the surrounding environment must be considered. Falls will occur when necessary properties of the environment and visual sources of information about them are inadequate, or when the individual is not adequately sensitive to or attentive to them. Body sway and tripping, two major problems contributing to falls, are examined. In regard to the prevention of falls, implications for the design of environments and training of the individuals who must move about in them are discussed.