Indiana University research at the American College of Sports Medicine annual conference

SCREENING FOR THE RISKS OF LIFE-THREATENING FALLS"

A study by Indiana University researchers found a strong connection between the cognitive function of their elderly study participants and their postural stability -- or balance.

The study, which is in line with recent findings by other researchers involving the brain and balance, also found a brief questionnaire designed to probe cognitive function effective at identifying people with poorer balance.

Falls are one of the most common causes of injury and death among the elderly. Motor control experts at Indiana University's School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation are searching for a way to alert the elderly to when they become more at risk for falls before the falls occur -- ideally developing a screening technique that can be conducted by physicians or other health care providers.

Koichi Kitano, a doctoral student in the School of HPER's Department of Kinesiology and lead author of the study, said the questionnaire used for their study could be conducted and scored by physicians and possibly other health care professionals. Patients could complete the questionnaire in around 15 minutes.

"It's an accessible, easy tool to identify people with risk," he said. Kitano said IU researchers want to continue their research with larger numbers of people and more diverse populations -- the current study involved 28 residents ranging in age from 80 to 90.

Researchers at the School of HPER are also looking into stretches and exercises that could help the elderly improve their balance. Kitano said, however, that cognitive exercises might be even more effective. To read more about their efforts, visit http://newsinfo.iu.edu/web/page/normal/6532.html and http://newsinfo.iu.edu/tips/page/normal/6741.html.

Kitano will be available to discuss the study, titled, "Cognitive function and postural sway among the elderly," on Thursday, May 29, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. in Hall B. Information about the study is embargoed until this time. Coauthors are Tammy M. Nichols, Rachel A. Britton, David B. Pisoni and David M. Koceja, all from IU Bloomington. Kitano can be reached at .

HEART DISEASE DOES NOT DEVELOP OVERNIGHT

An Indiana University study involving college freshmen found that almost half of the students had at least two risk factors for heart disease.

The study, led by Cameron L. Troxell, a graduate student in the IU Bloomington School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, involved 101 male and female college freshmen who answered a questionnaire designed to help researchers gauge the students' perceptions of their own health compared to the actual measurements. The study found that 30 percent of the students had high cholesterol, compared to 4 percent who self-reported this risk factor.

"A lot of the students were very surprised that they had high cholesterol," said co-author Jeanne Johnston, assistant professor in the School of HPER's Department of Kinesiology. "It really hit home that they need to start thinking about their healthy habits and behaviors."