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Perturbation in public transport as a basic concept for perturbation-based balance training for fall prevention

Perturbation im öffentlichen Nahverkehr als Grundlage für Perturbationstraining zur Vermeidung von Stürzen

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Abstract

Introduction

The aim of the study was to collect real-world sensor data on acceleration and deceleration while riding a bus or tram. With respect to the risk of suffering fall-related injuries while using public transportation, our interest was to understand the amplitude of real-world perturbations to translate them to innovative reactive balance training programs.

Methods

Acceleration and deceleration data were collected during 12 days in buses and trams in a German city. A sensor, which was fixed to a vertical bar in the vehicle, measured the acceleration signals. Additionally, extreme values of deceleration during full braking were collected in a driving school bus.

Results

For the incident type acceleration from standing extreme values of acceleration and jerking were higher in buses compared to trams with a maximum acceleration of 3.37 m/s2 and 1.80 m/s2, respectively, and extreme jerking of 13.30 m/s3 and −5.56 m/s3, respectively. Similarly, for the incident type deceleration approaching a stop extreme values of deceleration and jerking were higher in buses compared to trams with maximum deceleration of −3.12 m/s2 and −2.31 m/s2, respectively, and extreme jerking of −19.19 m/s3 and −10.83 m/s3, respectively. Extreme values for maximum deceleration and extreme jerking as simulated at the driving school were not reached during real-world measurements. The duration of incidents in acceleration from standing and deceleration approaching a stop was shorter for buses than for trams.

Conclusion

Acceleration and jerking values were higher in buses compared to trams. Based on this study, laboratory simulation paradigms can be developed to study balance responses in older persons and to design fall prevention interventions which are ecologically valid.

Zusammenfassung

Hintergrund

Ziel dieser Studie war es, reale Beschleunigungswerte von Bussen und Straßenbahnen im öffentlichen Nahverkehr zu erheben. Hinsichtlich der Sturzgefahr im öffentlichen Nahverkehr sollte die Intensität realer Perturbationen erfasst werden, um sie auf innovative reaktive Balancetrainingsprogramme zu übertragen.

Methoden

An 12 Tagen wurden die Beschleunigungsdaten von Bussen und Straßenbahnen in einer Stadt in Deutschland erhoben. Die Daten wurden über einen an einer vertikalen Haltestange fixierten Sensor gemessen. Zusätzlich wurden in einer Bus-Fahrschule Extremwerte während Vollbremsungen gemessen.

Ergebnisse

Beim Anfahren aus dem Stand waren die Extremwerte für Beschleunigung und Ruck in Bussen höher als in Straßenbahnen (Beschleunigung: 3,37 m/s2 vs. 1,80 m/s2, Ruck: 13,30 m/s3 vs. −5,56 m/s3). Ähnlich waren auch beim Abbremsen zum Stand die Extremwerte für Beschleunigung und Ruck in Bussen höher als in Straßenbahnen (Beschleunigung: −3,12 m/s2 vs. −2,31 m/s2, Ruck: −19,19 m/s3 vs. −10,83 m/s3). Die in der Fahrschule bei Vollbremsungen erreichten Extremwerte für Beschleunigung und Ruck wurden im Alltag nicht erreicht. Die Dauer des Anfahrens aus dem Stand und des Abbremsens zum Stand war in Bussen kürzer als in Straßenbahnen.

Schlussfolgerung

Beschleunigungs- und Ruckwerte waren in Bussen höher als in Straßenbahnen. Auf der Grundlage dieser Studie können nun ökologisch valide Simulationen entwickelt werden, mit denen ältere Menschen zur Sturzprävention im Labor ihr reaktives Gleichgewicht trainieren können.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Gerontology and Rehabilitation, Robert-Bosch-Hospital, Auerbachstr. 110, 70376, Stuttgart, Germany

    Ulrich Lindemann, Kim Sczuka, Clemens Becker & Jochen Klenk

  2. Institute of Epidemiology and Medical Biometry, Ulm University, 89081, Ulm, Germany

    Jochen Klenk

  3. Studienzentrum Stuttgart, IB Hochschule, 70178, Stuttgart, Germany

    Jochen Klenk

Authors
  1. Ulrich Lindemann
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  2. Kim Sczuka
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  3. Clemens Becker
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  4. Jochen Klenk
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ulrich Lindemann.

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Conflict of interest

U. Lindemann, K. Sczuka, C. Becker and J. Klenk declare that they have no competing interests.

Ethical standards

Ethical approval was not required, because no data on human subjects or animals were collected. All data are available on personal request from the corresponding author.

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Practical application

Based on this study laboratory simulation paradigms can be improved in order to design fall prevention interventions for older persons under real-world conditions.

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Lindemann, U., Sczuka, K., Becker, C. et al. Perturbation in public transport as a basic concept for perturbation-based balance training for fall prevention. Z Gerontol Geriat 54, 571–575 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00391-020-01755-w

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00391-020-01755-w

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