Techniques of Preventing Hip Fracture among the Elderly - Book Report/Review Example

Martial Arts Fall Training Martial Arts Fall Training to Prevent Hip Fractures in the Elderly Hip fractures are global challenges facing the elderly while practicing martial art. In line with the demographic trends, the annual number of hip fractures is rapidly escalating and will extend to an approximated 6.3 million in the year 2050 (Groen et. al, 2009). After modifying for ages and prior hospitalization, death threats escalated in threefold during the first 6 months after a hip fracture. However, this issue remains significantly escalated for at least 6 years post-fracture. Furthermore, hip fractures are linked with a reduction in physical activities and in quality of lifestyle among the individuals. Hip fractures are also associated with loss of independence to an affected victim. Hip fracture requires high medical costs to a victim suffering from this problem (Groen et. al, 2009). This is a critical analytic essay focuses on techniques of preventing hip fracture among the elderly. According to this research study, it is estimated that about 90% of all hip fractures are as a result of falls. Hip fracture highly affects people with osteoporosis due to low bone strength. Subsequently, hip fracture avoidance has typically aimed the prevention of extra bone loss, primarily by the planning of bisphosphonates. Furthermore, to low quantity of bone marrow density, nevertheless, the method of a fall is self-determining and at least as an essential risk factor for hip fractures (Groen et. al, 2009). In instances of falls to the side with straight bearing on the bigger trochanter, the danger for hip fracture escalates even more. In this type of fall, vitro research has revealed that hip protectors indeed cut down the effect load on the superior trochanter. Clinically, though, the advantageous impact of hip protectors on hip fracture danger has not yet been explicitly verified. This study tries to rationalize the possibility of teaching the elder individual how safely to teach them martial arts while protecting them from fractures caused by falling. The recent experimental research indicated in the context based on martial arts fall skills may be helpful to the elder people. A vital characteristic of MA fall method is that a fall is transformed into a systematic rolling motion. Through rolling methodology, the weight is dispersed over a larger bearing location and the volume of energy to be immersed during impact is condensed. Other characteristics outlined in the article on the MA fall method are head safety and the practice of the arm to reduce the fall (Groen et. al, 2009). In this research, it has clearly explained the experiments undertaken by younger individuals, who are experienced martial artists, condensed hip impact by 12–27%. The strategy used in this procedure included the natural fall arrest strategy which was accompanied by an outstretched arm to help distribute the weight evenly. Furthermore, MA fall strategy appeared to be stress-free to study since 30-min exercise ensued in a 17% decrease of hip impact force in young individuals (Groen et. al, 2009). The biomechanical model studies, reveals evidence that arrest strategies that comprise of knee flexion, waist flexion, and trunk spin are most functional to decrease bearing forces during a sideways fall. The study of Lo and Ashton Miller justifies the latent impact of MA fall method in decreasing force effect and, eventually, decreasing the danger of hip fractures (Groen et. al, 2009). The study shows evidence revealing important of movement combination during an MA fall enables the rolling after impact to be secure. Most importantly, some of the strength supporting arrest strategy was effective in decreasing the impact forces under the verges of breakage even when the aging factor on muscle forces were replicated in the model. Based on observation, the contestants in the study were capable of acquiring MA fall techniques within a period of five sessions. However, the use of these techniques and the efficiency of the training in elderly participants have not yet been measured according to the research done (Groen et. al, 2009). This study hypothesized that healthy older participants could learn MA fall skills through training and that enhanced fall techniques would consequence in a decrease of hip effect strength in case of a sideways fall. Hence, the function of the contemporary experimental research was to decide whether healthy older participants could learn MA fall skills in five-session fall exercise and whether this would consequence in a decrease of the hip impact force in case of a sideways fall (Groen et. al, 2009). Methodology The technique used to sample the participants was thorough in terms of number and specific age groups were used to recruit individuals. The participants in this model study, 28 healthy persons aged between 60 and 81 years were enrolled from local sport events for seniors. Individuals who participated lived individually and were capable of strolling without walking aids for at least 15 min (Groen et. al, 2009). The elimination criteria used in the methodologies involved contra signs for physical activities. Physical activities involved past accounts of a cerebral vascular accident with continuing indications. Other exclusion criteria included diseases which affected the central nervous system, escalated dangerously for osteoporosis and consumption of psychotropic prescription. Body mass index, which was beneath 20 and previous involvement in martial arts fall skills were excluded (Groen et. al, 2009). Interview methodology of evaluating and accessing participants is applied in inclusion and exclusion criteria. This methodology involves interviewing participants through telephone. Some strength supporting this methodology is the fact that it is fast, easily accessible and time saving. However, some of the weaknesses include lack of detailed interview due to limited visual contact between the participants and the interviewer. In circumstance of uncertainty, a doctor was consulted to decide whether participation was permitted or not (Groen et. al, 2009). The sample size evaluation is based on figures from a past research in healthy young adults representing a decrease in hip impact force subsequently after a transitory duration of MA fall training. In the current research, it relates variances in performance of MA skills, although in the prior research altered skills were put into comparison (Groen et. al, 2009). Furthermore, the sample size revealed a difference in deviation of the (0.4 N/N as a substitute of 0.31 N/N) was predictable for the cluster of older persons. For the research to have a muscle of at least 0.9 with α set at 0.05, a sample size of 21 individuals would be adequate (Groen et. al, 2009). Numerical representation of figures in sample size is precisely and sufficient to evaluate the deviation of the older individuals’ comparison. The data is supported by use of well documented and illustrated table to further illustrate the precise difference in mean hip impact force. The literature review is well documented in a chronological manner to display the occurrence at which the data are collected. This experimental research used to adequately support the study within topic design without a control group. The study procedure was identified whether elder persons are capable of learning MA fall skill at all. Furthermore, it was indefinite whether older individuals could participate in fall tests due to pilot study of older individuals participating in fall tests. Consequently, an experimental study without a control group appeared to be justified to deliver temporary confirmation before designing a casual experimental sample (Groen et. al, 2009). The methods used in this article are progression methods to analyze the fall training were identical to the Nijmegen Falls Prevention Program. It comprised of five weekly sessions of 45 min each, in which the applicants learnt to apply MA fall skills in a sideways, forward and backward direction (Groen et. al, 2009). Fall trainings began in sitting point, followed by falls from a standing and kneeling point. Fall performance in the sideways bearing was measured both earlier and afterwards the intervention. Then, participants copied the method numerous times to become familiar with the experimental setup prior to data collection. Previous to data gathering, reflective indicators were located on structural markers of the body. Data gathered started with an orientation capacity to define the situation of the greater trochanter (GT) with regard to a marker border with three markers that was in contact with the femur (Groen et. al, 2009). Results First of all, the kinematic data were evaluated to check if contestants did not begin moving previous to liberating the grasp, as illustrated by an alteration in the vertical trunk angle of more than 7°. Furthermore, it was firm, whether the hip was the first location of impact using the vertical position of the virtual GT indicator at primary impact. According to the tables and charts illustrates the analysis of kinematic data concisely. However, there are a few tables to support and explain the data analysis (Groen et. al, 2009). A limitation of the current research is the lack of a control group. Consequently, we cannot rule out the prospect that the witnessed effects are due to the contact during the pre-intervention valuation. A second drawback is that the theme groups were not gender-equated. With only 6 out of the 25 themes being male, we cannot be sure that the consequences are symbolic for the overall population of older males. Another limitation of the current research is that the falls explored variations in some characteristic from most falls in daily life. For security purposes, falls were commenced from a kneeling position while most fall-associated hip breakages happen from standing site. It may be debated that the impact forces escalates in falls from an upright position because of the added latent energy (Groen et. al, 2009). Conclusion Hip impact force was minimized by an average of 8% (0.20 N/N, P = 0.016). Subsequently fall exercise, fall performance from a kneeling position was better with a mean increase of 1.6 on a ten-point scale (P < 0.001) (Groen et. al, 2009). Fear of falling was condensed by 0.88 on a VAS scale (P = 0.005). MA methods may be exercisable in older persons, and an improved performance may decrease the hip impact force in a volitional askew fall from a kneeling position. The additional decrease of fear of falling might consequence in the avoidance of falls and correlated harms. Reference Groen, B., Smulders, E., de Kam, D., Duysens, J., & Weerdesteyn, V. (2009). Martial arts fall training to prevent hip fractures in the elderly. Osteoporos Int, 21(2), 215-221.DOI:10.1007/s00198-009-0934-x http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19407919 Read More