RT journal article T1 Interdisciplinary expert agreement on group and definitions for compensatory protective step strategies to prevent falls: A e-Delphi method study A1 Melo-Alonso, Maria A1 Leon-LLamas, Juan Luis A1 Villafaina, Santos A1 Gomez-Alvaro, Mari Carmen A1 Olivares, Pedro R A1 Padilla Moledo, María del Carmen A1 Gusi, Narcis A2 Didáctica de la Educación FísicaPlástica y Musical K1 Consensus K1 Credes Gait K1 Terminology K1 pasos K1 terminologia K1 caídas K1 Conducting and Reporting of Delphi Studies (CREDES) K1 Falls AB Background: Older adults have a high probability of experiencing falls during activities of daily living, which can lead to fear of falling, alterations in gait patterns, decreased mobility, reduced social interactions, and limited ability to perform various tasks. Previous studies examining gait in the presence of perturbations have identified and analyzed several protective gait strategies aimed at preventing falls. However, there is a lack of standardized terminology and definitions for these strategies, hindering comparison and collaborative progress among researchers and professionals.Objective: To unify definitions of compensatory protective step strategies and establish a standardizedterminology.Methods: This study adapted the Conducting and Reporting of Delphi Studies (CREDES) guidelines and followed a chronological sequence: 1) Preliminary phase: A literature review and both quantitative (three dimensions: relevance, wording, and identification, assessed using a Likert-type scale (1 to 5) and qualitative (an open-ended question) assessment were conducted; 2) Exploratory phase: Expert panel selection (n = 14) and the e-Delphi study were conducted; and 3) Final phase: Expert opinions were collected and analyzed. Content validity was assessed using Aiken’s V coefficient.Results: The results demonstrated high levels of validity (V ≥ 0.68) for all definitions, with none being eliminated based on Aiken’s V critical value.Conclusion: A precise definition was developed for each of the 14 compensatory protective step strategies (13 identified in the scoping review and one added by the expert panel). In total, the number of definitions was reduced from 61 to 14, with one definition for each of the compensatory protective step strategies identified. PB ELSEVIER SN 1809-9246 YR 2025 FD 2025-07 LK http://hdl.handle.net/10498/38888 UL http://hdl.handle.net/10498/38888 LA eng NO In the framework of the Spanish National R + D + i Plan, the currentstudy was co-funded by the Spanish Ministry of Sciences and Innovation(reference PID2019–107191RB I00/AEI/10.13039/501100011033).The author M.M.-A. was supported by an internship contract (Resolutionno 586/2022) from the Spanish Ministry of Sciences and Innovation(reference PID2019-107191RB I00/AEI/10.13039/501100011033) andM.M-A. was supported by a grant from the “Sistema Extreme˜no deCiencias, Tecnología e Innovaci´on” by Junta de Extremadura and cofinancedby FSE+ of Extremadura (PD23108). This study was also fundedby the Research Grant for Groups (GR21176) funded by the Junta deExtremadura (Regional Government of Extremadura) and the EuropeanRegional Development Fund (ERDF/FEDER) “a way of doing Europe”.This study was supported by the Biomedical Research NetworkingCenter on Frailty and Healthy Aging (CIBERFES) and FEDER funds fromthe European Union (CB16/10/00477). The funders played no role inthe study design, the data collection, and analysis, the decision topublish, or the preparation of the manuscript. DS Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Cádiz RD 10-nov-2026