Chapter 18

Question 1

Why do we need postural control?

Answer 1

Stability

Orientation

Question 2

Falls in the elderly are a major cause of what?

Answer 2

Morbidity

Mortality

Question 3

What are the 4 factors that contribute to the causes of falls?

Answer 3

Biomedical Factors
Physiological Factors
Psychosocial Factors
Environmental Factors

Question 4

What happens after a single fall?

Answer 4

• fear of falling and loss of confidence
• restriction in activities
• social isolation
• dependence on others

Question 5

What are extrinsic fall risk factors?

Answer 5

Environmental (floor, lighting, fluttered furniture, obstacles, non-level surface, shoes)

Question 6

What are intrinsic fall risk factors?

Answer 6

Postural control mechanisms (dizziness, weakness, gait abnormalities, poor balance, confusion, coordination, ROM, cognition)

Question 7

What are the neural components of postural control?

Answer 7

Sensory (visual, vestibular, somatosensory)
Central (higher level integrative process)
Effector (postural alignment, ROM, muscle force, power and endurance)