from Human Movement Science
It is estimated that one in three older adults
fall each year because of age-related
changes in balance, but a study at Purdue
University suggests young adults fall more
often than expected—perhaps even more
than older people. The study collected
information from college students about any
slips, trips or falls. In most cases, they
recovered their balance, but slightly more
than half of the students fell at least once in
the four month study and sixteen percent of
the falls resulted in injury. It confirms
statistics from the Centers for Disease
Control that falls are the third leading cause
of unintentional injuries in young adults.
Multitasking is a factor, such as talking to
someone while walking. The study is in the
journal Human Movement Science.