Do old people fall because of having clean soles?
By lkbooi
@lkbooi (16070)
Malaysia
February 11, 2007 10:44am CST
I met a guy who worked as a hospital assistant in a local hospital. We soon became friends coz both of us were crazy about sherlock holmes. Once he told me that he had discovered something interesting. He told me that most old people who were injured after a fall, normally happened on hot days, were found to have clean soles ionstead of dirty ones as he normally found. At first I thought it was a joke as most people did. A moment later I soon realised that his statement could be logical in certain circumtances.
Could clean soles be the cause of falling on hot days for old people? I hope to have your interesting comments.
1 person likes this
4 responses
@cheongyc (5072)
• Malaysia
11 Feb 07
I think that's true to some extend. Coz if base on physic theory, rough surface has more friction and smooth surface having less. So if our sole are too clean and it has less friction, we will tend to easily get slipped. It's like our car's tyres. The more friction, the better it grib on the road.
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@cheongyc (5072)
• Malaysia
11 Feb 07
Now only i think of another possibility. People with clean soles are people who clean their sole frequently or daily. So, constant washing with soap or corrosive agent will reduce the surface friction...But not sure about why it happen specifically on hot days.
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@williamjisir (22819)
• China
3 Apr 08
Hello dear lkbooi. I think that when the shoe soles are clean, it could let you have a slippery feeling that makes one fall easily. Haha, I am laughing at myself by giving an inappropriate response. Anyway, I was just trying to...
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@lkbooi (16070)
• Malaysia
7 Apr 08
Hi dear jisir, thanks you for you to have spent some of your precious time on this old discussion. 
Your explanation did give a related fact: any smooth or slippery surface would cause sliding or falling readily. The sole her refers to the sole of foot, sorry for being not specified in the discussion earlier.
My dear friend, you nearly got the answer. If you could relate properly certain clues, like old man, clear sole and hot day, you might be able to give a logical explanation required. 
Your explanation did give a related fact: any smooth or slippery surface would cause sliding or falling readily. The sole her refers to the sole of foot, sorry for being not specified in the discussion earlier.
My dear friend, you nearly got the answer. If you could relate properly certain clues, like old man, clear sole and hot day, you might be able to give a logical explanation required. 
@hitzphillygirl (1235)
• United States
11 Feb 07
Sure, I could believe that. If something is dirty, it obviously can't be slick anymore. There's too much dirt in the way. But if it were clean, there's nothing to stop it from slipping and sliding.
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@mayenskie (1307)
• Philippines
11 Feb 07
First, let me tell you that I like reading Sherlock Holmes, too!
Is that true? Older people really could fall because their soles are clean? I don't think so. I guess, its all in the floor.:)) If the floor is wet or too shiny or unluckily you slipped over a banana peeling, ofcourse,you will fall. Another reason also is that because older people have weaker bones already that's why they are prone of falling. But, if what you said is actually true then, it's an added knowledge on my part.:))
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