A prospective analysis of falls in Parkinson's disease: Does physical capacity moderate the relationship between walking amount and falls rates?

Journal of Parkinson s Disease 2026 Open access

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Authors: Ríona Mc Ardle, Lisa Alcock, Heather Hunter, Brook Galna, Alan Godfrey, Rachael A. Lawson, Silvia Del Din, Alison Jane Yarnall, Jochen Klenk, Lynn Rochester, on behalf of the ICICLE-Gait team
DOI: 10.1177/1877718x261418987
Cited by: 1
References: 43

Abstract

Falls are a significant concern for people with Parkinson's disease (PwP), often leading to restriction of walking activities to avoid situations where falls may occur. However, limited research has explored the relationship between walking amount (i.e., daily steps) and falls, particularly how this relationship may be influenced by physical capacity (i.e., gait speed). This study aimed to address that gap. Results indicate that higher daily step counts were associated with higher fall rates in PwP with moderate physical capacity, and lower fall rates in those with high capacity. The relationship between walking and fall rates was moderated by physical capacity.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Balance Gait and Falls Prevention Parkinson's Disease Mechanisms and Treatments Parkinson's Disease and Spinal Disorders

Publication details

Journal / source
Journal of Parkinson s Disease
Publisher
SAGE Publications
Volume
16
Issue
2
Pages
375–382
Publication date
13 February 2026
Language
EN