Syracuse Sun

Falls are a major concern for older adults and those who care for them. They are a leading cause of injury for adults over 65, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More than a third of those who fell reported needing medical treatment or being benched from activity for at least a day.

Yaejin Moon, assistant professor of exercise science in Syracuse University’s Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics, is working to address this issue through her research. Moon's work focuses on improving mobility and reducing fall-related injuries in people with neurological disorders and older adults by analyzing real-life fall videos using artificial intelligence. This research will soon be published in the journal Scientific Reports, currently under review.

Moon provided insights into why falls are particularly dangerous for the elderly: "The dangers of falling for older adults include serious injuries like hip and hand fractures, head trauma, and even death." She added that weaker muscles make it harder to stay balanced and perform corrective actions quickly.

Moon aims to deepen understanding of daily movements—how we walk, stand, and fall—specifically focusing on falls experienced by older adults in real-world scenarios. "By comprehending the causes and mechanics of falls as they occur in everyday situations," she said, "I plan to create more effective interventions."

In her interactions with people with movement disorders such as multiple sclerosis and stroke survivors, Moon discovered some participants were not afraid of falling because they knew how to fall safely. Inspired by martial arts techniques she has practiced herself, Moon designed a study investigating whether older adults could learn safe falling techniques like the ‘tuck-and-roll’ strategy. After 30 minutes of training in this technique, participants reduced their impact force by 33 percent when falling.

Moon emphasized that preventing falls is crucial: securing rugs with tape, installing handrails on staircases, placing grab bars in bathrooms, ensuring good lighting throughout the home, wearing appropriate footwear, using mobility aids like canes or walkers—all these measures can help prevent falls.

Regular exercise is also vital for improving balance, strength, and flexibility. Activities such as tai chi, yoga, and strength training can be particularly beneficial. Additionally, considering fall detection devices could be advantageous since long periods lying on the floor after a fall increase fatality risks.

For individuals about to fall: “Don’t resist it by trying to stay rigid,” Moon advised. Instead:

- For backward falls: Tuck your chin to your chest to prevent head injury.

- For forward falls: Use arms and knees to break the fall.

- For sideways falls: Rotate your body to land on your back while tucking your chin.

For further information or interviews:

Keith Kobland

Associate Director of Media Relations

University Communications

M 315.415.8095

kkobland@syr.edu