Sparta Science Completes Data Collection in Research Collaboration with HumanGood Focusing on Predictive Indicators for Falls in Senior Population

Collaboration aims to create a scalable fall risk assessment model

Menlo Park, CA – Sparta Science, developer of a scalable, machine learning-based technical solution for objectively measuring neuromusculoskeletal health and assessing injury risk, today announced a prospective feasibility study in a collaborative research effort with HumanGood, the nation’s sixth-largest nonprofit provider of senior housing. Researchers from Mount Royal University in Calgary, Alberta are collaborating with academic partners on the study.

This pilot study is the first step toward more large-scale testing and biomarker data collection to create future predictive models that can address the need for scalable preemptive fall risk assessment in senior populations. Simple balance assessments performed on the Sparta Movement Health Platform were utilized to collect biomarkers for 154 program participants across three different HumanGood communities.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than one-quarter of older adults (65+) fall each year. Additionally, U.S. Census Bureau projections show that same population will increase by 55 percent between 2015 and 2030. The combined figures indicate that projected fall rates and subsequent healthcare spending will also likely increase.

“Our research initiative and collaboration with HumanGood is yielding encouraging initial findings,” said Sparta Science CEO and founder Dr. Phil Wagner. “While many contributing risk factors for falls within our elderly population are known, currently there aren’t practical and effective tools for screening and identifying at-risk patients within clinics and living communities. The collaboration with HumanGood has been instrumental in leveraging the full power of the Sparta Science platform by enabling the practical large-scale collection of biomarkers that can support preemptive care to reduce falls.”

While the findings of the pilot study have not yet been published, the two companies believe the early results support proceeding with future research.