Dataset of Lower Limb Local Dynamic Stability during Gait in Older Adults with Prospectively Recorded Fall Incidence

This dataset contains results from the assessment of local dynamic stability (LDS) of the lower limbs during overground walking in 131 community-dwelling older adults (108 females, 23 males; mean age 71.0 ± 6.8 years). Each participant walked for 5 minutes at a self-selected pace along a 25-meter indoor corridor. Bilateral 3D accelerometers (Trigno, Delsys Inc.; sampling rate: 296.3 Hz) were attached approximately 15 cm above the lateral malleolus of each shank. Data were recorded in three orthogonal directions: Vertical (V), Medial–Lateral (ML), Anterior–Posterior (AP). Local dynamic stability was quantified using: Short-term Lyapunov Exponent (stLE) and Long-term Lyapunov Exponent (ltLE). These were computed independently for each direction and each leg, based on 150 strides per leg. Participants were followed prospectively for 12 months after data collection. Fall events were recorded through biweekly phone interviews, in line with the recommendations of the Prevention of Falls Network Europe (ProFaNE). A fall was defined as an unintentional event resulting in the person coming to rest on the ground, floor, or lower level. Based on fall occurrence, participants were classified into: Fallers (at least one fall reported during follow-up) and Non-fallers (no falls reported during follow-up).