“I Just Roll Over, Pick Myself Up, and Carry On!” Exploring the Fall-Risk Experience of Canadian Masters Athletes

2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 599-607
Author(s):  
Dylan Brennan ◽  
Aleksandra A. Zecevic ◽  
Shannon L. Sibbald ◽  
Volker Nolte
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Content Analysis ◽  
Fall Risk ◽  
Phenomenological Study ◽  
Master Athletes ◽  
Risk Of Falling ◽  
Semistructured Interviews ◽  
Masters Athletes ◽  
Fear Of Falls

Objectives: The risk of falling increases in adults aged 65 years and older. A common barrier to take up physical activity in sedentary older adults is the fear of falls and injury. Experiences of master athletes can provide insights into management of the risk of falling. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the fall-risk experience of masters athletes actively competing in sport. Methods: Masters athletes aged 55 years and older (N = 22) described their experiences in semistructured interviews. Data were analyzed through an interpretive–constructivist paradigm using inductive content analysis. Results: Five dominant themes emerged: acceptance, learning, awareness, resilience, and self-fulfillment. Participants of this study reported an acceptance of the risk they take in sport for falls and injuries in their pursuits for self-fulfillment. Discussion: Findings indicate that master athletes accept the risk for falls and injuries in sport, find ways to adapt, and continue to compete because it is self-fulfilling. Sharing their experiences might inspire other older adults to get active as a rewarding means of remaining independent.

scholarly journals Prevención del riesgo de caída en adultos mayores con programa Kunte durante confinamiento por COVID-19 (Prevention older adults fall risk with Kunte program during COVID-19 confinement)

Retos ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 42 ◽  
pp. 236-243
Author(s):  
Manuel Villarroel Cerda ◽  
Matías Pozo Núñez ◽  
Cristián Díaz Escobar ◽  
Víctor Patricio Díaz Narváez
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Fall Risk ◽  
Sedentary Behaviors ◽  
Risk Of Falling ◽  
Timed Up And Go ◽  
Body Balance ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Quasi Experimental

  Introducción: La falta de actividad física e incremento de conductas sedentarias durante el confinamiento domiciliario de adultos mayores, debido al COVID-19, tendría como consecuencia, con el tiempo, un aumento del riesgo de caída en esta población. Objetivo: Disminuir el riesgo de caída en un grupo de adultos mayores con confinamiento domiciliario aplicando el programa de actividad física Kunte, concerniente en secuencias de movimientos de tipo oriental estructurados de acuerdo a fundamentos teórico-prácticos de la terapia física y metodológico-pedagógicos de la Educación Física. Métodos: Estudio de diseño exploratorio y cuasi experimental; aplicado en 35 adultos mayores (19 mujeres – 16 hombres), pertenecientes a la comuna de Maipú, Santiago, Chile. Durante un periodo de 3 meses, utilizando el Timed Up and Go y Prueba de Tinetti antes y después de la intervención con el programa Kunte. Resultados: Los estadísticos descriptivos determinaron en un antes y después de aplicado el programa Kunte diferencias significativas (p<0,05) y altamente significativas (p<0,005) para la prueba Tinetti y Timed Up and Go Test respectivamente, tanto en hombres como mujeres, en la valoración del riesgo de caída de adultos mayores; disminuyendo significativamente este riesgo en cuanto a su relación con el equilibrio corporal dinámico y la marcha. Conclusión: La aplicación del programa Kunte presentó resultados significativamente positivos al valorar el equilibrio corporal dinámico y la marcha, mediante pruebas funcionales relacionadas con el riesgo de caída en adultos mayores, en este caso con confinamiento domiciliario durante la pandemia por COVID-19. Abstract: Introduction: Lack of physical activity and increased sedentary behaviors during home confinement of older adults, due to COVID-19, would result, over time, in an increased risk of falling in this population. Objective: To reduce the risk of falling in a group of older adults in home confinement by applying the Kunte physical activity program, based on sequences of oriental-type movements structured according to the theoretical-practical foundations of physical therapy and the methodological-pedagogical principles of Physical Education. Methods: Exploratory and quasi-experimental design study; applied in 35 older adults (19 women - 16 men), belonging to the commune of Maipú, Santiago, Chile. During a period of 3 months, using the Timed Up and Go and Tinetti's Test before and after the intervention with the Kunte program. Results: Descriptive statistics determined significant (p<0.05) and highly significant (p<0.005) differences for the Tinetti and Timed Up and Go Test respectively, in both men and women, in the assessment of the risk of falling of older adults; significantly decreasing this risk in terms of its relationship with dynamic body balance and walking. Conclusion: The application of the Kunte program showed significantly positive results when assessing dynamic body balance and gait, through functional tests related to fall risk in older adults, in this case with home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals Multisensory integration involved in the body perception of community-dwelling older adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Hide ◽  
Y. Ito ◽  
N. Kuroda ◽  
M. Kanda ◽  
W. Teramoto
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Multisensory Integration ◽  
Fall Risk ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
The Body ◽  
Risk Of Falling ◽  
Body Perception ◽  
Rubber Hand ◽  
Timed Up And Go ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

AbstractThis study investigates how the multisensory integration in body perception changes with increasing age, and whether it is associated with older adults’ risk of falling. For this, the rubber hand illusion (RHI) and rubber foot illusion (RFI) were used. Twenty-eight community-dwelling older adults and 25 university students were recruited. They viewed a rubber hand or foot that was stimulated in synchrony or asynchrony with their own hidden hand or foot. The illusion was assessed by using a questionnaire, and measuring the proprioceptive drift and latency. The Timed Up and Go Test was used to classify the older adults into lower and higher fall-risk groups. No difference was observed in the RHI between the younger and older adults. However, several differences were observed in the RFI. Specifically, the older adults with a lower fall-risk hardly experienced the illusion, whereas those with a higher fall-risk experienced it with a shorter latency and no weaker than the younger adults. These results suggest that in older adults, the mechanism of multisensory integration for constructing body perception can change depending on the stimulated body parts, and that the risk of falling is associated with multisensory integration.

scholarly journals Effect of Physical Therapy on Fall-Risk and Physical Status in Older Adults with Frailty and Metabolic Syndrome

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
pp. 282-291
Author(s):  
N. P. Koval ◽  
◽  
M. G. Aravitska
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
Physical Therapy ◽  
Therapeutic Alliance ◽  
Fall Risk ◽  
Physical Therapist ◽  
Main Group ◽  
Frailty Syndrome ◽  
Physical Status

The constant increase in the proportion of the disabled or partially disabled elderly population and, accordingly, patients of this age contingent, leads to the need for rehabilitation and physical therapy of persons with geriatric syndromes and various comorbid pathologies. The purpose of the study was to determine the effectiveness of a physical therapy program based on the dynamics of indicators of the fall-risk and physical status in older adults with frailty syndrome and metabolic syndrome. Material and methods. 96 older adults were examined. The control group consisted of persons without metabolic syndrome and without frailty syndrome. The main group 1 consisted of persons with metabolic syndrome and frailty syndrome who did not express a desire to cooperate with a physical therapist and / or actively improve their health on their own (low level of therapeutic alliance). They were provided with recommendations on the WHO CINDI program (diet modification, extension of household and training physical activity). Main group 2 included patients who showed consent to take active steps to improve their own health under the supervision of a physical therapist (high level of therapeutic alliance). We developed a physical therapy program for them using kinesitherapy, massage, nutritional correction, education of the patient and his family, elements of cognitive training and occupational therapy for one year. The dynamics of the state was assessed according to the results of the Short Physical Performance Battery, hand dynamometry, Senior Fitness Test, the Berg Balance Scale. Results and discussion. Older adults with metabolic syndrome and frailty syndrome demonstrated a high fall-risk (according to the results of a Short battery of physical activity tests and the Berg scale) and a statistically significant lag in physical status parameters (coordination, balance, strength, flexibility, endurance, agility) according to the parameters of the Senior Fitness Test, hand dynamometry, Short battery of physical activity tests) from their peers. These results increase the risk of adverse health effects, loss of autonomy and death. The use of physical therapy in main group 1 subjects led to a statistically significant (р<0.05) improvement in physical qualities, a decrease in the intensity of frailty signs; leveling the fall-risk in them. The low level of therapeutic alliance of persons in the main group 2 led to unsatisfactory fulfillment or non-fulfillment of the recommendations provided and is associated with a lack of improvement in their physical status and a high fall-risk. Conclusion. It is advisable to include physical therapy means in the rehabilitation programs for elderly patients with comorbid pathology of frailty and metabolic syndrome

“Not Everybody’s an Athlete, But They Certainly Can Move”: Facilitators of Physical Activity Maintenance in Older Adults in a Northern and Rural Setting

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (6) ◽  
pp. 854-863 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kirsten Ward ◽  
Anne Pousette ◽  
Chelsea A. Pelletier
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Engagement ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Rural Setting ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Semistructured Interviews ◽  
Individual Program ◽  
Physical Activity Maintenance

Although the benefits of maintaining a physical activity regime for older adults are well known, it is unclear how programs and facilities can best support long-term participation. The purpose of this study is to determine the facilitating factors of physical activity maintenance in older adults at individual, program, and community levels. Nine semistructured interviews were conducted with individuals aged 60 years and older and long-term participants (>6 months) in community-based group exercise at a clinical wellness facility in northern British Columbia, Canada. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and analyzed via inductive thematic analysis. Themes identified as facilitators of physical activity included (a) social connections, (b) individual contextual factors, and (c) healthy aging. Older adults are more likely to maintain physical activity when environments foster healthy aging and provide opportunity for social engagement.

Understanding the Relationship Between Pet Ownership and Physical Activity Among Older Community-Dwelling Adults—A Mixed Methods Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 131-139
Author(s):  
Mandy Peacock ◽  
Julie Netto ◽  
Polly Yeung ◽  
Joanne McVeigh ◽  
Anne-Marie Hill
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Lived Experience ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Pet Ownership ◽  
Sedentary Behaviors ◽  
Daily Lives ◽  
Semistructured Interviews ◽  
Daily Step Count

Pet ownership is associated with increased levels of physical activity (PA) in older adults. Studies have mainly focused on the association between PA and dog walking; however, broader aspects of pet ownership may influence PA. The purpose of this study was to explore the association between pet ownership and incidental and purposeful PA using a mixed methods approach. Participants’ (N = 15) PA was measured for 7 days using accelerometers and diaries. Semistructured interviews explored participants’ perspectives regarding pet-related activities. Participants’ mean (SD) daily step count was 14,204 (5,061) steps, and mean (SD) sedentary time per day was 8.76 (1.18) hr. Participants strongly concurred that their pets were an integral part of their daily lives. Incidental and purposeful PA resulted from participants undertaking pet care and socially interacting with their pets. Pets may interrupt sedentary behaviors by nudging older adults to engage in PA as part of their daily lived experience.

Seven A’s of Active Aging: Older Men’s Suggestions for Physical Activity Programs

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-62
Author(s):  
Jordan Deneau ◽  
Sean Horton ◽  
Paula M. van Wyk
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Older Men ◽  
Western Society ◽  
Active Aging ◽  
Semistructured Interviews ◽  
Aging Populations ◽  
Physical Activity Programs ◽  
Physical Activity Programming

In an attempt to offset the widespread anticipated impact of aging populations, active aging programs have become nearly ubiquitous in Western society. Nonetheless, older adults tend to remain relatively inactive. The perspectives of older adults constitute a key resource to help guide active aging efforts. Moreover, gender-sensitized and ecological approaches to physical activity programming may contribute markedly to the efficacy and inclusiveness of such initiatives. Considering the paucity of research regarding older men’s suggestions for physical activity programs, this study involved semistructured interviews to ascertain the perceptions among 19 older men (aged 75–90 years). Through a thematic analysis, seven key attributes emerged that participants believed physical activity programs should possess: affordable, available, accessible, adapted, alternative, accompanied, and awareness. The complexities and implications pertaining to these attributes are discussed in the context of ecological theory and ideals of masculinity.

scholarly journals Risk-of-falling related outcomes improved in community-dwelling older adults after a 6-week sideways walking intervention: a feasibility and pilot study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Skiadopoulos ◽  
Nick Stergiou
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Fall Risk ◽  
Exercise Intervention ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Recruitment Strategy ◽  
Large Trial ◽  
Risk Of Falling ◽  
Walking Intervention ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Abstract BackgroundAging increases fall risk and alters gait mechanics and control. Our previous work has identified sideways walking as a potential training regimen to decrease fall risk by improving frontal plane control in older adults’ gait. The purposes of this pilot study were to test the feasibility of sideways walking as an exercise intervention and to explore its preliminary effects on risk-of-falling related outcomes.MethodsWe conducted a 6-week single-arm intervention pilot study. Participants were community-dwelling older adults ≥ 65 years old with walking ability. Key exclusion criteria were neuromusculoskeletal and cardiovascular disorders that affect gait. Individualized sideways walking intervention carried out under close supervision in a 200 m indoor walking track (3 days∙week− 1). Recruitment and retention capability, safety, and fidelity of intervention delivery were recorded. We also collected (open-label) walking speed, gait variability, self-reported and performance-based functional measures to assess participants’ risk-of-falling at baseline and post-intervention: immediate, and 6 weeks after the completion of the intervention.ResultsOver a 7-month period, 42 individuals expressed interest, 21 assessed for eligibility (21/42), and 15 consented to participate (15/21). Most of the potential participants were reluctant to commit to a 6-week intervention. Desired recruitment rate was achieved after revising the recruitment strategy. One participant dropped out (1/15). Remaining participants demonstrated excellent adherence to the protocol. Participants improved on most outcomes and the effects remained at follow-up. No serious adverse events were recorded during the intervention.ConclusionOur 6-week sideways walking training was feasible to deliver and demonstrated strong potential as an exercise intervention to improve risk-of-falling outcomes in community-dwelling older adults. In a future trial, alternative clinical tools should be considered to minimize the presence of ceiling/floor effects. A future large trial is needed to confirm sideways walking as a fall prevention intervention.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04505527. Retrospectively registered 10 August 2020.Trial fundingCenter for Research in Human Movement Variability, National Institutes for Health, University of Nebraska Collaboration Initiative.

scholarly journals Experiences and Strategies Influencing Older Adults to Continue Playing Walking Football

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Rachel Cholerton ◽  
Helen Quirk ◽  
Jeff Breckon ◽  
Joanne Butt
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Sport Participation ◽  
Higher Order ◽  
Perceived Benefits ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Semistructured Interviews ◽  
Conscious Process ◽  
Adapted Sports

Adults aged 55+ years are most likely to be inactive, despite research suggesting that older adults experience multiple benefits when participating in physical activity and sport. Limited research focuses on long-term continuation of sport participation in this population, especially in “adapted sports” like walking football. This study explored the experiences of walking football maintenance in 55- to 75-year-old players. Semistructured interviews were conducted, with 17 older adults maintaining walking football play over 6 months. The inductive analysis revealed five higher-order themes representing maintenance influences and two higher-order themes relating to maintenance mechanisms (i.e., the conscious process by which players maintain). Influences when maintaining walking football included individual- and culture-level influences (e.g., perceived benefits of maintenance and ability acceptance). Maintenance mechanisms included cognitions and behaviors (e.g., scheduling sessions and redefining physical activity expectations). Findings highlight novel implications for policy and practice, which are important to consider when delivering walking football to older adults.

scholarly journals Using Assistive Health Technology to Assess Fall Risk Appraisal, Body Composition, and Physical Activity

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 28-28
Author(s):  
Ladda Thiamwong ◽  
Joon-Hyuk Park ◽  
Renoa Choudhury ◽  
Oscar Garcia ◽  
Maxine Furtado ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Body Composition ◽  
Fall Risk ◽  
Fear Of Falling ◽  
Bioelectrical Impedance ◽  
Impedance Analysis ◽  
Health Technology ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Risk Appraisal

Abstract One-third of older adults have a discrepancy between perceived and physiological fall risks or maladaptive fall risk appraisal (FRA). Older adults who report high fear of falling and overestimate their physiological fall risk are less likely to participate in physical activity (PA). Limited data suggest the interrelation between fall risk appraisal, body composition, and objective measured PA. This cross-sectional study examines the feasibility of recruitment and acceptability of Assistive Health Technology (AHT), including the BTrackS Balance System (BBS), Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (InBody s10), and ActiGraph GT9X Link wireless activity monitor. This study demonstrates the benefits of using AHT to study the associations among FRA, body composition, and PA in older adults. We hypothesize that rational FRA is associated with higher levels of PA and skeletal muscle mass and lower levels of percent of body fat and body mass index. Topics presentation included research protocol and preliminary results.

scholarly journals Proposals for continued research to determine older adults’ falls risk

2020 ◽  
Vol 05 (04) ◽  
pp. 89-91
Author(s):  
Beatrice Pettersson ◽  
Ellinor Nordin ◽  
Anna Ramnemark ◽  
Lillemor Lundin-Olsson
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Fall Risk ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Risk Of Falling ◽  
Self Assessment ◽  
Preventative Measures ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Risk Assessment Tools ◽  
Falls Prediction

Early detection of older adults with an increased risk of falling could enable early onset of preventative measures. Currently used fall risk assessment tools have not proven sufficiently effective in differentiating between high and low fall risk in community-living older adults. There are a number of tests and measures available, but many timed and observation-based tools are performed on a flat floor without interaction with the surrounding. To improve falls prediction, measurements in other areas that challenge mobility in dynamic conditions and that take a persons’ own perception of steadiness into account should be further developed and evaluated as single or combined measures. The tools should be easy to apply in clinical practice or used as a self-assessment by the older adults themselves.

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