Why Fall Risk Matters More Than You Think

For many people, the idea of a “fall risk assessment” sounds like something only meant for very elderly or frail individuals. The reality is much different.

Falls are one of the leading causes of injury and loss of independence in adults over 60. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in four adults over the age of 65 experiences a fall each year. Those falls often lead to fractures, hospitalizations, fear of movement, and a rapid decline in overall health.

But here’s the important part:

Fall risk does not suddenly appear at age 75.
It develops gradually over years due to small changes in:

• Balance

• Strength

• Reaction time

• Posture

• Joint mobility

• Walking mechanics

By the time someone actually falls, the underlying problems have usually been present for a long time.

That’s exactly why proactive testing matters.

At COSJ, we believe in measuring fall risk early—long before an injury occurs—and using objective data to keep our patients healthy, confident, and active for life.

What Is the Kinetisense Fall Risk Assessment?

The Kinetisense Fall Risk Assessment is an advanced, technology-driven evaluation system that uses 3D motion capture to analyze how your body moves in real time.

Unlike traditional fall risk screenings that rely on stopwatches, observation, and subjective scoring, Kinetisense provides:

• Precise movement measurements

• Objective performance data

• Reproducible testing

• Clear, easy-to-understand reports

• Personalized risk scoring

Think of it like a “physical performance lab” designed to assess how safely and efficiently your body moves.

Rather than guessing about balance or stability, we can now measure it.

How Traditional Fall Assessments Fall Short

For decades, fall risk testing has typically involved simple tools such as:

• Timed Up and Go (TUG)

• Sit-to-Stand tests

• Balance standing tests

• Basic gait observation

While these methods are useful, they have limitations:

• They depend heavily on human observation

• Small but important deficits can be missed

• Progress can be difficult to track

• Results can vary between examiners

Kinetisense solves these problems by using camera-based motion capture to analyze joint angles, speed, symmetry, and control with incredible precision.

This allows us to move beyond “it looks okay” to actual measurable data.

What the Kinetisense Assessment Measures

During a Kinetisense Fall Risk Assessment, we evaluate multiple key areas that are scientifically linked to fall risk.

1. Balance and Postural Control

Your ability to maintain balance—especially while moving—is one of the strongest predictors of fall risk.

The system measures:

• Stability while standing

• Sway patterns

• Ability to maintain posture

• Control during weight shifting

Even subtle balance deficits that aren’t visible to the naked eye can be detected.

2. Lower Body Strength

Weakness in the legs and hips is one of the most common reasons people lose confidence and stability.

Kinetisense evaluates:

• Sit-to-stand performance

• Squat mechanics

• Single-leg control

• Power and endurance

These metrics directly relate to real-world tasks like climbing stairs, getting out of chairs, and recovering from a trip or stumble.

3. Gait and Walking Mechanics

Walking is something most of us take for granted—until it becomes difficult.

The assessment analyzes:

• Stride length

• Step symmetry

• Walking speed

• Trunk control

• Arm swing and coordination

Small changes in gait often appear years before a fall occurs. Identifying them early is crucial.

4. Reaction Time and Movement Speed

Falls often happen not because someone loses balance, but because they cannot react fast enough to catch themselves.

The Kinetisense system measures how quickly and effectively you can respond to movement challenges—an essential component of real-world safety.

5. Functional Movement Quality

Beyond strength and balance, the way your joints and muscles coordinate matters.

We assess:

• Hip and ankle mobility

• Postural alignment

• Symmetry between sides

• Movement compensations

These details help us understand not just if you’re at risk, but why.

What the Assessment Process Looks Like

One of the best parts about the Kinetisense system is how simple and non-invasive it is.

Here’s what you can expect:

1. You stand in front of a specialized 3D motion camera

2. You perform a series of guided movements

3. The system records and analyzes your performance

4. Within minutes, a detailed report is generated

5. Your provider reviews the results with you

There are:

• No sensors

• No wearable devices

• No radiation

• No complicated equipment

Just fast, accurate, objective testing.

Turning Data Into Action

The real value of the Kinetisense assessment isn’t just in collecting numbers—it’s in what we do with them.

After your assessment, you’ll receive:

• A personalized fall risk score

• Clear explanations of problem areas

• Measurable benchmarks

• A step-by-step improvement plan

Depending on your results, your plan may include:

• Balance training

• Strength training

• Mobility work

• Gait retraining

• Reaction drills

• Personalized exercise programming

This fits perfectly into our COSJ model:

Repair → Retrain → Reinforce

We don’t just identify risk—we help you actively reduce it.

Who Should Have a Fall Risk Assessment?

Many people assume fall assessments are only for those already struggling. In reality, the ideal candidates include:

• Adults over 55 who want to stay proactive

• Anyone with a history of falls

• Individuals who feel unsteady on their feet

• People recovering from joint replacement

• Those with neuropathy or balance concerns

• Anyone wanting objective longevity testing

At COSJ, we often use Kinetisense as part of our comprehensive Longevity and Independence Evaluations.

Tracking Progress Over Time

One of the biggest advantages of Kinetisense is the ability to re-test and compare results.

Because the system is objective and data-driven, we can show you exactly how you’ve improved in areas like:

• Balance

• Strength

• Walking mechanics

• Functional performance

This makes it an incredible tool for:

• Measuring rehab outcomes

• Monitoring aging adults

• Tracking personal training progress

• Demonstrating fall risk reduction

The Bigger Picture: Falls and Long-Term Health

Preventing falls isn’t just about avoiding injuries.

It’s about protecting:

• Independence

• Confidence

• Social activity

• Overall quality of life

When people feel unstable, they move less.
When they move less, strength declines.
When strength declines, fall risk increases.

The Kinetisense assessment helps break that cycle by identifying problems early and giving us a roadmap to fix them.

For additional reading on the impact of falls and prevention strategies, the National Institute on Aging provides excellent resources on fall prevention and mobility health:

https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/falls-and-fractures

Why COSJ Uses Kinetisense

At Central Ohio Spine and Joint, we pride ourselves on combining clinical expertise with the best available technology.

The Kinetisense system allows us to:

• Provide higher-quality assessments

• Remove guesswork

• Create personalized programs

• Show real, measurable outcomes

It’s part of our commitment to helping patients stay Stronger for Life.

Take Control of Your Balance and Confidence

You don’t need to wait for a fall to take action.

Whether you’re 55 and proactive, 75 and cautious, or somewhere in between, objective testing can give you peace of mind and a clear path forward.

The Kinetisense Fall Risk Assessment helps answer critical questions:

• Am I stable and strong for my age?

• Where am I at risk?

• What can I do to improve?

Most importantly—it gives you a plan.

Ready to Get Tested?

If you or a loved one would benefit from a professional, data-driven fall risk assessment, we’re here to help.

👉 Click here to schedule your Kinetisense Fall Risk Assessment today