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Age-Related Changes in Physical Fall Risk Factors: Results from a 3 Year Follow-up of Community Dwelling Older Adults in Tasmania, Australia
Citation
Bird, M-L and Pittaway, JK and Cusick, I and Rattray, M and Ahuja, KDK, Age-Related Changes in Physical Fall Risk Factors: Results from a 3 Year Follow-up of Community Dwelling Older Adults in Tasmania, Australia, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 10, (11) pp. 5989-5997. ISSN 1660-4601 (2013) [Refereed Article]
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Copyright Statement
Licenced under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0) http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
DOI: doi:10.3390/ijerph10115989
Abstract
As the population ages, fall rates are expected to increase, leading to a rise in accidental injury and injury-related deaths, and placing an escalating burden on health care systems. Sixty-nine independent community-dwelling adults (60–85 years, 18 males)had their leg strength, physical activity levels and their annual fall rate assessed at two timepoints over three years,(summer 2010 and summer 2013) monitoring balance. Force platform measures of medio-lateral sway range increased significantly under conditions of eyes open (mean difference MD 2.5 cm; 95% CI 2.2 to 2.8 cm) and eyes closed (MD 3.2 cm; 95% CI 2.8 to 3.6 cm), respectively (all p < 0.001) indicating worsening static balance control. Dynamic balance showed similar changes (p < 0.036). Leg strength was not significantly different between visits (p > 0.26). Physical activity reduced significantly (MD −909 Cal/week; 95% CI −347 to −1,470 Cal/week; p = 0.002)during the course of the study. Participants maintained aerobic activities, however resistance and balance exercise levels decreased non-significantly. The likelihood of falling was higher at the end of the study compared to the first timepoint (odds ratio 1.93,95% CI 0.94 to 3.94; p = 0.07). Results of this study indicate that despite maintenance of leg strength there was an increase in medio-lateral sway over a relatively short time frame, with higher than expected increases in fall rates.
Item Details
| Item Type: | Refereed Article |
|---|---|
| Keywords: | accidental falls; exercise; physical activity |
| Research Division: | Health Sciences |
| Research Group: | Public health |
| Research Field: | Preventative health care |
| Objective Division: | Health |
| Objective Group: | Specific population health (excl. Indigenous health) |
| Objective Field: | Health related to ageing |
| UTAS Author: | Bird, M-L (Dr Marie-Louise Bird) |
| UTAS Author: | Pittaway, JK (Ms Jane Pittaway) |
| UTAS Author: | Cusick, I (Miss Isobel Cusick) |
| UTAS Author: | Rattray, M (Miss Megan Rattray) |
| UTAS Author: | Ahuja, KDK (Dr Kiran Ahuja) |
| ID Code: | 87313 |
| Year Published: | 2013 |
| Web of Science® Times Cited: | 41 |
| Deposited By: | Health Sciences A |
| Deposited On: | 2013-11-12 |
| Last Modified: | 2017-11-06 |
| Downloads: | 764 View Download Statistics |
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