Beam walking to assess dynamic balance in health and disease

Gait, balance, and muscle impairments are associated with falls in ~30% and
~50% of adults age over 65 and 80, respectively. Nearly 50% of outdoor falls
occur while walking. Measuring dynamic balance is thus important to
characterize the current state of postural control and identify those who are
likely to experience severe levels of mobility disability, including falls in
the future. To date, dynamic balance has been inferred from *functional tests*
that rely mostly on gait speed and fail to quantify an actual balance loss
while walking. Beam walking could measure dynamic balance more accurately.

Primary objective: To determine if beam walking performance vis-à-vis the
traditionally used balance outcomes predicts more accurately fall risks and
falls.

Secondary objectives: To determine: 1. Reliability and 2. Lifespan and patient
reference values for dynamic balance as determined by beam walking with and
without cognitive dual-tasking, and 3. The statistical relationship between
beam walking performance and selected *functional tests* currently used to
measure dynamic balance.

This observational, cross-sectional study contains of a session wherein
participants are asked to fill in a few questionnaires, perform tasks of daily
living (static balance test, standing up from a chair, 3 meter walk), walk on a
beam, and perform cognitive tests. 3 to 7 days after this first session a
second session will be done where only beam walking will be performed. All
participants age 50+ will report fall history at test 1 and at 6 and 12 months
follow-ups.

The participants will visit the Central of Human Movement Sciences once. They
will be asked to fill in questionnaires, perform tasks of daily living + walk
on a beam, and perform cognitive tasks. The risks are minimal and not bigger
than in daily life. The participants are allowed to take a break between the
measurements if necessary.